Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope: Mirage

3

Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope: Mirage

By

Sign in to view read count
Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope: Mirage
Multi-instrumentalist and composer Brian Landrus' Mirage is his most accomplished, and thematically unified recording to date. The music shimmers like the phenomenon of the title as pastel colored harmonies of a string quartet bleed into the deep, earthy tones of low reeds and the fusion-like sounds of the band, Kaleidoscope.

On "Don't Close Your Eyes" the evocative romanticism of the chordophones and soulful swagger of the rhythm section seamlessly blend enhancing its emotional reach. The crystalline ring of pianist Frank Carlberg's Fender-Rhodes brings a touch of 1970s nostalgia. Landrus' own baritone saxophone undulates in a lilting and intelligent improvisation that maintains the mellifluousness of the tune.

Landrus not only uses the strings as a group to accentuate his compositions but also incorporates individual members of the quartet into the various pieces. For instance, on the wistful "Sammy" a Levantine mysticism imbues violinist Mark Feldman's pensive, opening duet with Landrus' baritone. Landrus goes on to create a yearning, tender, spontaneous poetry with the help of guitarist Nir Felder's intricate and resonant lines as the two echo each others' ideas and embellish them.

Landrus is known for his mastery of and his warm, rich and organic voice on the baritone sax but on the current release he expands his pallet to other, lower octave, woodwinds. His meditative and haunting unaccompanied contralto-clarinet interlude "Reach" has him exploring the melodic range of this rarely heard instrument with quiet intensity. The short track also serves as a palate cleanser between the ardently lyrical first part and the cooler, funk infused second half.

On "Jade," Feldman's agile violin dances, with Djangoesque flair, around the group's, R&B flavored rhythms. Bassist Lonnie Plaxico dynamic and complex, electric reverberations anchor his band-mates with sophisticated subtlety as Landrus' conversational bass clarinet maintains strong melodic sense and jazz sensibility. Landrus switches with ease and adroitness between the quavering bass clarinet to breathy bass flute on the vaguely Caribbean "I've Been Told." The reggae-ish melody features Felder's roughhewn, rootsy groove and allows drummer Rudy Royston his turn in the spotlight with a rollicking and boisterous solo.

"Kismet," Landrus' alluringly contemplative solitary bass saxophone extemporization closes this delightfully stimulating, album. It is an apt conclusion to an intelligent and vibrantly chromatic work that is innovative and forward looking while it maintains a firm foothold in multiple traditions. What is perhaps, most remarkable, is that what had the potential to become a messy hodgepodge of influences in Landrus' resourceful and creative hands has become a singular gem with a wide appeal.

Track Listing

Arrival; Sammy; Don't Close Your Eyes; A New Day; The Thousands; Someday; Reach; Mirage; I've Been Told; Three Words; Jade; Kismet.

Personnel

Brian Landrus
saxophone, baritone

Brian Landrus: baritone and bass saxophones, bass and contra-alto clarinets, bass flute; Rudy Royston: drums; Nir Felder: guitar; Frank Carlberg: piano, Rhodes; Lonnie Plaxico: electric and acoustic bass; Mark Feldman: violin; Joyce Hammann: violin; Judith Insell: viola; Jody Redhage: cello; Ryan Truesdell: conductor.

Album information

Title: Mirage | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: BlueLand Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.