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The Vampires: Nightjar
BySharing compositional duties almost equally between them, Garbett and Rose create atmospheric frameworks with immediate melodic hooks, inviting the rhythm sectionbassist Noel Mason and Alex Masso on drumsto settle in comfortably between African folk rhythms and their modernized guises. As with The Necks, virtuosity is never an end in itself for The Vampires. Subtlety reigns in these realms, and Chris Abrahams' minimalist approach fits in neatly, always adapting to the group interplay as he colors out spaces left untouched with sparse harmonic shapes and textural overtone layers. Both those qualities are on full display in the opening Rose-penned cut "Game Changers." A soothing pulse dominates the piece, with much room for each musician to flex. Held together by mindfully wrought unison lines and ostinatos, the song is permeated with consecutive thematic branches to grab onto.
Tracks such as "Khan Shatyr" and "Ortigara" follow the same principles, but with different temperamentsthe former being an up-beat variation steeped in reggae, the latter an obscured dub elaboration with atmospheric synth layers, Noel Mason switching to electric bass and the obligatory waves of delay and reverb included. But, more than the general form or structure of the respective tunes, it is about how they are navigated between the quintet; how much, or rather how little, each instrument intervenes and at what point they enter into conversation with the other is central. For, even in the most rudimentary sections of rhythmic and melodic vamping, communication rules all.
Among the catchy melodies and plainer song forms of Nightjar are also occasional experimental infusions. "Waves" is a beat-less venture, with rubato lines flowing between piano, trumpet and Rose on bass clarinet, before percussion emerges, turning the melancholy tune into a slow, contemplative anthem. Abrahams switches to synthesizer on "Na Pali," spinning distorted lines around an Afro-fusion groove of high pace and spirits. "High Plains," too, after being introduced as a straightforward up-tempo number abounding with blues vocabulary, drifts off into something different completely the moment the drums introduce a breakdown for the song's last third.
The lyrical and the rhythmical are in perfect balance with each other throughout the album, as are the composed and the improvised. A chamber jazz elaboration such as "High Plains"again demonstrating Rose's soulful bass clarinet playingcan only be followed by a rumbling drum and prophet synthesizer- dominated piece such as "Evergreen" for that exact reason. The same goes for the title track and "Sun Gazers"a bipolar finale again spotlighting the contrasting moods by mending them with the group's idiosyncratic playing and the shared roots of the compositions' melodic material.
As for the collaborative spirit of the record, by design Nightjar is different to The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke. On that record the band highlighted the guest musician, here the invitee highlights the group, which does not speak to the quality of the recordings, as neither surpasses the other. Both demonstrate rare artistry and a keen sense of collective musicianship. Rather, it is a comment on the disposition of the music, the objective of the band's interaction. If the Loueke venture could be characterized as extroverted, then this would be that album's introverted brother. Of course, one look at the title and cover artwork put "introverted" into perspective. This may be a nocturnal affair, but there are plenty of different shades and colors to be found at night and nightjars, after all, have wings, too. And they soar.
Track Listing
Game Changers; Khan Shatyr; Waves; Ortigara; Ortigara interlude; Na Pali; High Plains; Evergreen; Nightjar; Sun Gazers.
Personnel
The Vampires
band / ensemble / orchestraJeremy Rose
saxophone, tenorChris Abrahams
pianoNick Garbett
trumpetNoel Mason
bassAlex Masso
drumsAlbum information
Title: Nightjar | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Earshift Music
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About The Vampires
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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