REVIEW BY ALL ABOUT JAZZ – JANUARY 20th 2016
Javier Vercher: Wish You Were Here
By GEANNINE REID
Published: January 20, 2016
Views: 2,267
Pushing the limits of jazz is where saxophonist Javier Vercher resides, creating in a world full of experimentalism and melodicism, but creativity and heartfelt music is the unifying thread. On Wish You Were Here (MUSIKOZ), customary jazz is given an overhaul, flirting with dissonant or uneasy textures. In other words, it actually tosses jazz back into the groundbreaking sonic landscapes that once enabled it to light the world on fire. Wish You Were Here is visionary work, one that stands out in the mass mix of the countless numbers of average jazz chaos. Vercher is joined by an amazing cast which includes: Javier Vercher (tenor sax), Lionel Loueke (guitar), Larry Grenadier (bass), Francisco Mela (drums), Sam Yahel—(piano) on: “Vivi,” “Magicians of Sound,” “Ahi Donde Vive Joe,” and bonus tracks: “Turning Towards Kindness,” and “Rio Blanco.” Special guests include: Arturo Stable (ethnic percussion) on “Vivi” and bonus track “Turning Towards Kindness,” Jorge Perez (peruvian cajon), on “Blue Heron,” Brian Henry Schreck (vocals) on the bonus track “Turning Towards Kindness.”
Balancing the radical attitudes of modern jazz with the soulful precision of yesterdays be-bop, Wish You Were Here simultaneously manages to enthuse the senses and calm the nerves. Vercher’s saxophone is the unifying factor in the eye of this perfect storm. On “Vivi,” Vercher’s determined playing is overflowing with character and spirit; his lines consistently weave through the harmony in unpredictable waves. Loueke’s nylon guitar frames Vercher’s mood-spinning single notes, as his double time lines build over Grenadier’s solid bass and Mela’s driving drums, which work together to create a volley of glorious sound at the end of Vercher’s solo. It is also nice to hear Yahel’s approach to the piano, excellent control and he really makes a concise statement.
The title track finds Loueke and Vercher in a wonderful conversation like setting, with Loueke playing just as many counterpoint lines to Vercher’s solo as accompaniment chords. “Magicians of Sound” explores a folk-like melody that develops into pushing the genre’s fringes, all in good taste and the group’s listening and playing is spectacular. Vercher isn’t afraid to sound sweetly or tuneful when the moment is right, “Ears of a Distant Traveler” is a gorgeous selection that captures the groups romantic sound and superb playing. “Blue Heron” opens with a melodic solo from Mela that leads to a straight-eight melody with Loueke providing thoughtful commentary to Vercher’s horn. Of course, Vercher always adds that extra twist in his solos that really opens the listener’s ears and makes them feel his lines, such is the case with all masters, they speak from the heart. One of the most compelling adventures on the album is “Ahi Donde Vive Joe.” A rhythmically driving selection with Grenadiers’ bass lines complimenting Mela’s big beat. Vercher’s sax playing on this selection is a master class in modern saxophone with edgy feeling, the blues, angular lines, cross-rhythms, super-imposed harmony and impeccable time.
“Rio Blanco” presents a free flowing ballad that again demonstrates the ability of this group to really listen to one-another and play in a conversational manner. Though the background is ever changing; Vercher’s steady sax seems to amalgamate it all, framing the selection in an ever flowing melody that tells its unique story of traversed journey. “Turning Towards Kindness” paints a musical picture of an inner voice minding its own business like a silent witness in a busy city scape, maybe New York, echoes of the city’s edgy, streetwise energy, but also the cloudy melancholy of her chaotic inner workings. “Rio Blanco” brings us full circle in sound and texture to the opening selection, completing our musical adventure.
Vercher is a lasting voice in the sax avenue, with a gritty, yet flexible and versatile sound, filled with articulate lines and well-executed ideas, joined by some of the best in jazz, this is a solid and lasting documentation of the growing genre of modern jazz.
Track Listing: Vivi; Wish You Were Here; Magicians of Sound; Ears of a Distant Traveler; Blue Heron; Ahi Donde Vive Joe; Style and Grace; Turning Towards Kindness; Rio Blanco.
Personnel: Javier Vercher: tenor sax, woodwinds, percussion; Lionel Loueke: guitar; Larry Grenadier: bass; Francisco Mela: drums; Sam Yahel: piano (1, 3, 6, 8, 9); Arturo Stable: ethnic percussion (1, 8); Jorge Perez: peruvian cajon (5); Brian Henry Schreck: vocals (8).
Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: MUSIKOZ
Wish You Were Here by Rotcod Zzaj.
Javier Vercher – WISH YOU WERE HERE: I’m continuously amazed by the high quality of music that comes through my mailbox (or e-mail for the digital submissions)… & it only seems to get better, as evidenced by the beautiful sax work you’ll hear from Javier on tunes like “Ears of A Distant Traveler“… total control of his reeds, & every note is crisp & clear on the recording. His sax is joined by bass from Larry Grenadier, guitar from Lionel Loueke, piano by Sam Yahel and drums from Francisco Mela. The great guitar intro by Lionel on the 9:18 “Style & Grace” made it my favorite of the nine all-original songs on the album, more than likely because of the poignant pacing… these gents know how to complement each other, and reach right down (deep) into the listener’s soul with their wondrous sounds. I give Javier & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 on this great album. Get more information at Javier’s Bandcamp page for this release. Rotcod Zzaj
THE JAZZ PAGE by Glenn Daniels
Javier Vercher – Wish You Were Here (Musikoz)
Saxophonist Javier Vercher blends the sound of the avant-garde with the more traditional fair for a thoroughly enticing recording. Wishing You Were Here is a compelling document of the compositional and playing talents of the Brookyln- based Vercher, who wrote all but one of tunes on the production. Additionally, the grade-A musicianship of guitarist Lionel Loueke (who contributes vocal accompaniment and one of the tunes), bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Francisco Mela and keyboardist Sam Yahel really complement Vercher’s rich warm tone and ethereal sonic forays. An outstanding musical venture.
THE JAZZ CAMERA UK by John Watson
Javier Vercher – Wish You Were Here (Musikoz Records)
Saxophonist Vercher has recorded with some very distinguished musicians in the past, including Robert Glasper and Bob Moses. ‘Wish You Were Here’ takes him a step further towards greater international recognition, for his line-up includes bassist Larry Grenadier, guitarist Lionel Loueke, pianist Sam Yahel and drummer Francisco Mela. Vercher, born in Madrid and brought up in Valencia, is now based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where his reputation as an improviser must surely be growing.
The opening track, ‘Vivi’, gets straight down to business, with a brief introduction from the guitar of Loueke (composer of the piece), and Vercher demonstrating a bold, confident approach on tenor.
The saxophonist’s phrasing here, and throughout the album, shows what strong imagination he has, and there’s real passion behind the sound. The title track, which follows, is a softer theme in triple time, composed by Vercher, with Loueke switching to acoustic guitar, while ‘Magicians In Sound’ has Vercher’s tenor stating the theme in unison with Grenadier’s bass, over a free, turbulent rhythm. ‘Ears Of A Distant Traveller’, another ballad by Vercher, has the saxophonist breathing the most subtle of feathery sub-tones, whle ‘Blue Heron’ has a mellow, latin feel. ‘Ahi Donde Vive Joe’ is my favourite track on the disc, a punchy, uptempo theme featuring a strong solo from Yahel and some spiky phrasing from the leader. The ‘official’ concluding track is the gently flowing ‘Style And Grace’, and there are two ‘bonus’ tracks, the abstract ‘Turning Towards Kindness’, and ‘Rio Blanco’, a brief piano solo from Yahel followed by a curiously silent gap (perhaps an editing error) and then a warm, latin theme with the whole group.
The album was recorded in New York as far back as 2008, so its eventual release is especially welcome, as Vercher is certainly a talent deserving much wider recognition.
Hobart Taylor, KUCI Irvine, CA.
Spanish tenor saxophonist Vercher along with some of New York’s best sidemen, reaches back into the traditions of the compositional/improvisational fine balanced mix with influences From Coltrane to Turrentine. Where Vercher differs is that he adds acid jazz/hip hop elements to his playing similar to that of his sometime collaborator Robert Glasper. He also juxtaposes melodic fragments in collages made up of various styles, rhythms, and timbres… akin to William Burroughs cut up style of fiction writing.
~Hobart Taylor, KUCI Irvine, CA.
MIDWEST RECORD
Volume 38/Number 140
March 20, 2015
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2015 Midwest Record
JAVIER VERCHER / Wish You Were Here – MUSIKOZ : This sax man gets extra points for liking free jazz but liking his audience just as much and not wanting to assault them with fusillades that make things roll off the rails. Improv work that sounds like it was composed and thought out, this date, abetted by some stellar players you know, hits all the right notes and does a really impressive job of it by turning in a set of all originals that hold your attention. Hot stuff that redefines the cool.
Published on April 20, 2015
Javier Vercher – Wish You Were Here – Musikoz 002, 66:25 [3/10/15] by Doug Simpson
Tenor saxophonist Javier Vercher unites two sides of jazz. On the one side, he’s fond of melodic music with straightforward motion: pleasant, no overt surprises, splendidly swinging. On the other hand, the Brooklyn-via-Spain Vercher likes unpredictability and going into areas where instantaneous, sometimes discordant, improvisation is important. Both aspects of Vercher’s musical personality are layered into the tenor saxophonist’s fourth effort as leader, the hour-long Wish You Were Here (recorded in 2008; released overseas in 2010; issued stateside this year). There are ballads; there is jazz poetry; there is hummable, post-bop artistry. Anyone interested in a preview should watch an online promo video which explains the record’s background and showcases in-studio performances. Vercher’s creativity is abetted by a sympathetic group consisting of Benin-born acoustic guitarist Lionel Loueke (who can sound like Earl Klugh or a wilder Pat Metheny); pianist Sam Yahel (featured on five tracks: he is also known as a Hammond organist); double bassist Larry Grenadier (he was previously in pianist Brad Mehldau’s trio, and has done sessions with Larry Vuckovich, Joshua Redman, Enrico Rava, and others); and drummer Francisco Mela (his résumé includes saxophonist Joe Lovano and Chris Crocco). Vercher also utilizes guests on a few other cuts to add spice to the proceedings.
Wish You Were Here (which can be streamed in full online) begins with Loueke’s sole contribution, the warm and tender “Vivi” (all other compositions were penned by Vercher). This sincere outing has a light, Latin touch via Loueke’s guitar (on this piece, Loueke evokes the smoothness of Ricardo Silveira), while Vercher advances into slightly sharper topography, achieving an earthy and soaring tone. Mela bounces his sticks in an assertive way and is assisted by percussionist Arturo Stable. When Yahel takes the spotlight, there’s a suggestion of Mehldau. There are also wordless vocals which bubble underneath, imparting a crumb of unconventionality. The title track (which has no apparent connection to the Pink Floyd album with the same name) has a similar approach, with cozy acoustic guitar; lots of cymbals from Mela; balmy bass lines; and Vercher’s ear-catching sax lines (he seems like a cross between early Stan Getz and Dexter Gordon). More wordless vocals sneak in, when Loueke solos. The interplay of acoustic guitar and tenor sax is a highlight of the nearly-eight-minute “Ears of a Distant Traveler,” although the harmonic vocalizations get uncomfortably close to Keith Jarrett territory. Vercher kicks things up several notches on the upbeat “Ahí Donde Vive Joe,” a bop-inclined burner where Vercher and Yahel trade lines; Yahel supplies some seriously good vamping; and the rhythm section keeps everything clicking along with agility. Vercher and his band end the regular program with the quietly stunning and aptly-named “Style & Grace.” Loueke commences with a beautiful acoustic guitar intro; then bass, sax, and drums enter to furnish more stirring music. Yahel is not present and Vercher and Loueke shine throughout: Vercher is particularly worth mentioning when he occasionally treads away from the main theme to craft somewhat rougher sounds.
There are two bonus cuts and this is where Vercher stretches beyond expectations. These two numbers, in fact, may throw some off-track. But that’s probably Vercher’s intent. First is the ghostly, percussion-loaded “Turning Towards Kindness No. VIII,” where guest vocalist Brian Schreck reads a poem by 14th-century Persian author Jelaluddin Rumi, while Vercher’s arrangement concentrates on liquid-like percussion, some breathy sax and production/mix trickery to provide a contemporary patina. Vercher shows his freer jazz predisposition on “Rio Blanco No. IX”. The nine-minute tune launches in a relaxed manner, with easeful sax and nicely-plucked guitar, but bit by bit tension builds, just a hint, but little by little the sax and piano indicate oncoming conflict. Seven minutes into the piece, that dissonance is headfirst, although even so, there is stabilization via bass and drums. On Wish You Were Here, Vercher and his allies establish a successful balance between satiating jazz which should appeal to mainstream listeners, with moments of explorative space which never goes out of control.
TrackList: Vivi; Wish You Were Here; Magicians of Sound; Ears of a Distant Traveler; Blue Heron; Ahí Donde Vive Joe; Style & Grace; Bonus Tracks: Turning Towards Kindness No. VIII; Rio Blanco No. IX.
—Doug Simpson
By Tom Hull: 2256 Music Week
Javier Vercher: Wish You Were Here (2014 [2015], Musikoz): tenor saxophonist, loud and clear over a first-rate guitar-piano-bass-drums rhythm section [cd]: B+ ***
ALL ABOUT JAZZ NEW YORK – IMAGINARY REALM REVIEW
Javier Vercher – Ferenc Nemeth: Imaginary Realm (2014)
By GEANNINE REID,Published: June 3, 2014
feren nemeth javier vercherImagination is the ability to form a picture in your mind of something that you have not seen, heard or experienced; the ability to think of new things. Saxophonist Javier Vercher and Drummer Ferenc Nemeth´s project Imaginary Realm can be summed up by this dictum, creating a realm between the two of them that is creative and full of new things.
Saxophonist Javier Vercher was born in Madrid, but was raised in Valencia where he graduated from the Joaquin Rodrigo Conservatory of Valencia with a degree in classical clarinet. Vercher later attended the Berklee College of Music on a scholarship which lead to him calling Williamsburg, Brooklyn home. After spending 10 years in New York and recording records and discovering new ways of playing, in 2010 Vercher moved back to his hometown of Valencia, where he quickly settled back into the rhythms of his homeland, Vercher says, “I feel focused on the music, taking care of the music, studying sound, having a regular life. I work, and opportunities come along. New York is a great city, but I still need to learn in a different way—not only about jazz, but more about other aspects of life and how to insert these concepts into my playing and writing.”
Drummer Ferenc Nemeth since the early days of his career, has been one of the most sought after drummers, both in his native Hungary as well as in the United States. Coming from a musical family, his unique dynamism and versatility was fostered from a very early age. An exciting performer and imaginative collaborator, Nemeth is well regarded for his work with the Lionel Loueke Trio and GilFeMa. Nemeth also studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In addition, in 2011, Nemeth launched an app at the Mac AppStore called ‘Drum School,’ that is an educational tool, including over 300 drum grooves and hand exercises. This app is a rhythm library, an instructional DVD and a method book, all in one. Nemeth has also found time in between extensive performing and recording to established his own label, Dreamer’s Collective Records, his second CD, Triumph was released in the autumn of 2012, with a cast of: Joshua Redman, Kenny Werner, Lionel Loueke as contributors, as well as a small wind orchestra. For over 10 weeks the album was among the Top 15 on the CMJ Jazz Charts. Imaginary Realm, is the third album for the label and it features a duo with Vercher, one of Nemeth’s long time friends/band mate.
Imaginary Realm, is the second collaboration between Nemeth and Vercher, and as the title implies, the musical journey is about— states of mind. In 2007, the duo released their first set together, Wheel of Time. This time the duet focuses on creating an intentional mood with each sonic setting, some mysterious, some energetic and some with spiritual moments, but all of the tracks are intensely and emotionally played from the heart. The opening track, “Silent Stones” finds Nemeth creating a rhythmic setting of subtle wood tones from his percussion, while Vercher’s warm saxophone floats over the rhythmic pad to begin our journey. The track creates a relaxed flowing meditative environment that leads to the title track, “Imaginary Realm,” which begins with the intricate sounds of piano from guest artist David Kikoski, who appears on four tracks. The three musicians create long phrases that naturally breathe, expand and contract in the pulse. Always listening to each other, there is a sense of oneness with the moment that is created. Other tracks that evoke a slow-motion meditative feeling are “Poets of the East,” “Prana” (the Sanskrit word representing breath) and “Sumerian Magic Spell” with the inclusion of the African wooden thumb box. Nemeth’s polyrhythms on his kit and percussion drive the duet even on the slow pulsed sections, creating movement with intense subtlety. “Prana” sees Nemeth on brushes and colorful cymbal work along with accenting perfusion as Vercher caresses a melodic statement with an improvisational subtlety that matches the duet’s gentle approach.
Although the mood is predominantly contemplative throughout the release, Nemeth and Vercher do create faster moving landscapes. The mid-tempo pulse of “Circles in the Sky” finds Vercher displaying a vast command of vocabulary from his horn, from the use of pentatonic scales with colorful chromatics to the intricacies of bebop, all supported by the ever vigilant pulse and groove from Nemeth. Nemeth fittingly steps up the intensity with a melodic “Drums” solo selection, building his cracking solo over his own polyrhythmic accompaniment. “Giant Henge” displays Nemeth´s mastery of multi-layering percussive figures which provides the foundation for Vercher´s impassioned solos as Kikoski´s piano matches Vercher´s creativity and intensity. This track is presented in a more traditional form with an intro, to a melody, a blowing section, to the melody again, then to an ending statement. This track exhibits this format more than any of the other selections on the project and its placement is expertly located within the set, creating that golden section climax that is then released for the culmination of the project, again showing the attention to detail and flow by the duet. The music covers a surprisingly wide terrain for a duet/trio and celebrates the beauty of melodic ideas that exist in the moment and at their own pace. The collective improvisation along with the written material creates a moody, slightly abstract space, but highly musical and rewarding. The duet draws liberally from influences across time and geographical space. The exotic, captivatingly fused sounds and use of space are much more than the sum of the duet’s diverse backgrounds, which inevitably impart African, Europe, South and North American colors to the mix. With folkloric roots and abstract imagery, the duet radiates an openness that embraces the understated and the investigational alike, the coarse and the charming. Imaginary Realm joyously disregards any distinctions between the past and the contemporary—the musicians understand that the two are inextricably linked, and herein lies the simple formula for the duets ability to think of new and refreshing ideas.
Track Listing: Silent Stones; Imaginary Realm; Poets of the East; Form & Meaning; Drums; Prana; Circles in the Sky; Sumerian Magic Spell; Giant Henge; Prana (Revisited).
Personnel: Javier Vercher: sax tenore, african wooden box; Ferenc Nemeth: batteria, percussioni; David Kikoski: piano.
CD Review: Javier Vercher/Ferenc Nemeth – Imaginary Realm
Javier Vercher (ten/perc); Ferenc Nemeth (perc) + David Kikoski (pno 4 tracks).
Spanish born tenor saxophonist Javier Vercher and Hungarian born percussionist Ferenc Nemeth team up to produce their second album in six years. The duo become a trio with the addition of Pianist David Kikoski who guests on 4 of the tracks. The album opens with a short intro Silent Stones wonderful interplay between Sax and percussion conjure up a dreamy tropical ambiance. Kikoski leads out the title track Imaginary Realm , saxophone and percussion then combine in a gentle almost classical atmospheric manner.
Poets of the East is a haunting tune inspired by the Far East rather than our own North East I imagine. The combination of percussion and tenor once more creates a wonderful atmosphere. The piano features again in Form and Meaning giving us the most straight ahead trio piece on the album. A short percussion solo by Nemeth Drums leads into Prana a subtle sparse saxophone is accompanied by the elegant brush work of Nemeth. Circles in the Sky is a more tense affair on the saxophone but with a calypso style percussion accompaniment! Sumerian Magic Spells is another short percussion solo but this time it features Vercher on an African Sound Box. The liveliest track on the album Giant Henge sees the trio giving it a real go with the very enthusiastic playing providing a great uplift. A reprise of Prana this time played solely by Kikoski on piano concludes the named tunes on the album. However there is a hidden bonus track awaiting. A conventional but nevertheless extremely enjoyable rendition off Ellington’s Come Sunday played by the trio.
Whilst contemplating the CD Sleeve I was able create a whole new set of titles by simply combining some of the track names for example we could have Stones Henge , The Magic Circle , Giant Drums , Sumerian Sky , Imaginary Poets, Spell Form and Meaning and The Silent East. Joking aside this album is a magnificent collaboration by 2 guys who are clearly at one with each other the subtle meditative intertwining of the instruments create a wonderfully atmospheric evocative piece.
Steve H.
“imaginary realm” by tenor saxophonist javier vercher and drummer ferenc nemeth is an internal journey–state of mind as opposed to points on a map.We hear a devastating farewell to innocence, kicking it into the street, whether that means the end of a friendship or the end of a love affair. and this mystery makes the disk superb. ” ~john shelton ivan
New Jazz this week with Ferenc Nemeth, Javier Vercher, Danilo Perez, Rufus Reid & more!
Well, the Pick of the Week was a toss-up pretty much. You can’t go wrong with either album, and that’s a good sign of a healthy week in new Jazz. Several albums this week present some terrifically singular sounds, both out on the fringes but also territory closer to Jazz center. Let’s begin…
Ferenc Nemeth & Javier Vercher, Imaginary Realm: Absolutely sublime work by drummer Nemeth and previous collaborator Javier Vercher (on tenor sax). Spiritual jazz presented with a subtlety that gives music with edge a sense of drifting peacefully through the air. Bringing in pianist David Kikoski for about half the track, it adds a dynamic that only serves to further round out an introspective sound that simultaneously dances with life. Just a wonderful recording, full of substance and feeling. Worth noting that Nemeth’s last recording, 2012′s Triumph, was my eMusic Pick of the Week when it came out. So is his newest. Pick of the Week.
http://www.emusic.com/17dots/2014/02/12/new-jazz-this-week-with-ferenc-nemeth-javier-vercher-rufus-reid-more/
CD Review: Javier Vercher/Ferenc Nemeth – Imaginary Realm
Javier Vercher (ten/perc); Ferenc Nemeth (perc) + David Kikoski (pno 4 tracks).
(Review by Steve Horowitz)
IMG_2191Spanish born tenor saxophonist Javier Vercher and Hungarian born percussionist Ferenc Nemeth team up to produce their second album in six years. The duo become a trio with the addition of Pianist David Kikoski who guests on 4 of the tracks. The album opens with a short intro Silent Stones wonderful interplay between Sax and percussion conjure up a dreamy tropical ambiance. Kikoski leads out the title track Imaginary Realm , saxophone and percussion then combine in a gentle almost classical atmospheric manner.
Poets of the East is a haunting tune inspired by the Far East rather than our own North East I imagine. The combination of percussion and tenor once more creates a wonderful atmosphere. The piano features again in Form and Meaning giving us the most straight ahead trio piece on the album. A short percussion solo by Nemeth Drums leads into Prana a subtle sparse saxophone is accompanied by the elegant brush work of Nemeth. Circles in the Sky is a more tense affair on the saxophone but with a calypso style percussion accompaniment! Sumerian Magic Spells is another short percussion solo but this time it features Vercher on an African Sound Box. The liveliest track on the album Giant Henge sees the trio giving it a real go with the very enthusiastic playing providing a great uplift. A reprise of Prana this time played solely by Kikoski on piano concludes the named tunes on the album. However there is a hidden bonus track awaiting. A conventional but nevertheless extremely enjoyable rendition off Ellington’s Come Sundayplayed by the trio.
Whilst contemplating the CD Sleeve I was able create a whole new set of titles by simply combining some of the track names for example we could have Stones Henge , The Magic Circle , Giant Drums , Sumerian Sky , Imaginary Poets, Spell Form and Meaning and The Silent East. Joking aside this album is a magnificent collaboration by 2 guys who are clearly at one with each other the subtle meditative intertwining of the instruments create a wonderfully atmospheric evocative piece.
by Steve Horowitz
GAPPLEGATE music review
Javier Vercher, Ferenc Nemeth, Imaginary Realm
by Grego Applegate Edwards
It should come as no surprise to those that follow the contemporary jazz world that there are talented players out there who one has not heard before, that there are continual discovery situations one comes up against. The sound of surprise is also the sound of previously undiscovered sound-makers, some of them really quite good.
That pretty much sizes up my reaction to the new album by Javier Vercher and Ferenc Nemeth, Imaginary Realm (Dreamers Collective 1003). These are two players, tenor saxist and drummer, respectively, who have been paying dues in New York and playing together for some time in
the process. Their first album came out in 2007. This is their second, for this outing teaming up at key points on the album with pianist David Kikoski.
The set played on this disk is evocative, free-wheeling and free but also at times with implied harmonic reference points in a tonal-pivotal realm. These are open-form compositions, originals, with Vercher sometimes following a chromatic path similar in direction to such post- Trane luminaries as Liebman and Bergonzi but taking it to his own personal space. Kikoski grounds much of the proceedings in his own harmonically sophisticated world, which goes well with Vercher’s outlook. Ferenc Nemeth plays some actively freebased and also implicitly or explicitly swinging drums throughout, with skill and big ears. There are moments of quiet ambience, especially when Javier and Ferenc go it alone. But the open-air sound of those moments contrast nicely with more earthy explorations.
This is a talented threesome that makes a modern free-edged music you would do well to hear. If they signed to ECM they’d be getting famous by now. But then that may be true of any number of players. Nonetheless these artists are well worth hearing. A most pleasing record!
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