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Shirantha Beddage: Momentum
Beddage roots much of his inspiration on
For example, the opening track "Porkchop" is an ebullient, funky tune, built around a memorable riff that tumbles quickly from a grainy high register, down to a dank basement tone. It's a clever, inviting opener that also reveals the talents of Beddage's band mates, who are no less adroit. "Drag and Drop" continues the deft balance of firm structure with kinetic energy, debuting another memorable theme, this time silky smooth and supported by a rich base line by Rich Brown, the perfect bed for Beddage to take advantage of the baritone's sensual, Barry White tonalities. (Illustrating Beddage's methods, the scientific theme being explored here is "friction and thrust.")
Of the compositions that follow, "Gravity," one of the album's less memorable tunes, takes on J.S. Bach and concepts of weight; "Centrifugal Force" explores 12 tone rows over the course of its eight minutes of rising and falling spirals; "Momentum"—an album high point—delves into speed and collision, charting its crescendo course with ethereal tones, precise, inventive drumming, and beautiful piano accompaniment. It is on this piece that Beddage unlocks the baritone's full range, patiently developing the pieces themes, converting this standard structure into a merged meditation on force and space and the arc of passionate longing.
The brisk "Axis of Rotation" acts as a quiet interlude, on which Beddage once again shows great tone control; and "Angle of Incidence" is a swinging tune that Beddage explains found its origins in the angles of billiards, which comes through in the piece's clattering solos, rapid piano, and crisp interactions, all of which evoke the scene of a classic jazz bar and pool room— loose, a touch dirty, and choked with character.
The album ends with yet another mood shift. A tender pastoral, "The Long Goodbye."
An astute, intriguing, and artistically balanced affair, Momentum reminds us that jazz offers many avenues that a creative mind can revitalize, explore, and make personal, even if they stay within the traditional boundaries. The result of Beddage's journey should establish him as an adept composer and soloist, and help open the window to a Canadian jazz scene worth further exploration.
Track Listing
1.Pork Chop; 2. Drag and Drop; 3. Gravity; 4. Centrifugal Force; 5. Momentum; 6. Axis of Rotation; 7. Angle of Incidence; 8. The Long Goodbye
Personnel
Shirantha Beddage
saxophone, baritoneShirantha Beddage: baritone sax, piano (8), Fender Rhodes (3,6), bass clarinet(2,5), alto sax, clarinet, flute (2); David Restivo: piano (1,3,4,5,6,7), Fender Rhodes (2,8); Mike Downes: bass (1,6,7,8); Rich Brown: bass(2-5); Mark Kelso: drums (1,6,7,8); Wiliam Kennedy: drums (2-5)
Album information
Title: Momentum | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced
About Shirantha Beddage
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