Misha Tsiganov: Painter Of Dreams

Like a fine wine, Russian-born and New York-based pianist Misha Tsiganov, seems to improve with age. His music continues to evolve and his creativity hits a high spot with Painter Of Dreams. He has appeared on countless albums over the years and has played with such musicians as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson and Michael Brecker. His ability to shift tempos and mix meters in his compositions has always been notable. Recent work with the Romanian Radio Big Band has also honed his arranging skills, broadening his tonal soundscape.

Lasting over 73 minutes, the album features six compositions by Tsiganov and two standards. His musical collaborators, drawn from the A-list, include trumpeter, long-time friend and fellow countryman, Alex Sipiagin. Joining them are bassist Matt Brewer, drummer Johnathan Blake and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon. That line-up is elevated by guest appearances from saxophonist Chris Potter and vocals from Hiske Jeltine Oosterwijk. In addition to his piano, Tsiganov adds Rhodes and Minimoog to the mix.

The first three tracks on the album include contributions from Potter. The upbeat "Elusive Dots" is the first of these. Brewer and Blake navigate the shifting rhythms, Potter's fast and fluent improvisation leads to the contrast of Tsiganov's Minimoog, before Sipiagin's searching flugelhorn and Zenón's neat alto sax intervene. "April" begins with a light and summery feel, wordless vocals from Oosterwijk singing a horn part add to the texture. That summery feel gives way to invention from Potter, Sipiagin and Tsiganov, before a remarkable ending as Potter and Zenón try to out-dazzle each other as their fiery saxophones entwine. "Up Journey" is the last of Potter's sparkling contributions, this time on soprano sax. He follows Sipiagin's potent trumpet improv before an impressive Tsiganov solo.

After all the intensity, the melodic title track, with lyrics written and sung by Oosterwijk, comes as a welcome contrast. Tsiganov contributes a piano solo and Zenón and Sipiagin excel once again. Oosterwijk also contributes the lyrics to "Seeley Street Song." Sipiagin has a melodic flugelhorn solo and Tsiganov is at his best with a languid piano improv. Blake and Brewer quickly establish a cool groove to set the stage for Sipiagin in "Chain of Events." Tsiganov builds the funk with his Rhodes before Zenón solos and Blake fires drum salvos.

There are two covers. Jerome Kern's "Long Ago and Far Away" from the film Cover Girl is the starting point and moves into unexpected time changes and is notable for fine work from Zenón. George Gershwin's "I Loves You Porgy," undergoes some changes, but the melody stays intact with Minimoog from Tsiganov and creative statements from Brewer, Sipiagin and Zenón making this a beguiling close to the album.

Alongside his playing, Tsiganov's rich arrangements provide the perfect environment for his collaborators. The group displays great chemistry and Tsiganov sounds especially inspired on this album. Elusive time shifts and altered keys add to the entertainment over repeated listens, making 73 minutes in the company of these musicians time well spent.

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