Hans Glawischnig: Panorama

It is refreshing to listen to a jazz recording where the music is in keeping with the title. Panorama is exactly what bassist Hans Glawischnig debut on Sunnyside is. Glawischnig, an Austrian-born, New York City resident, is a bit of a panorama himself. Glawischnig's name rings true in the confines of Latin jazz, where he has spent a good deal of time woodsheading, collaborating, exploring, and defining.

Panorama is powerfully dense with complex composing and solo high-wire acts. Alto Saxophonist Muguel Zenon gets his John Coltrane-freak on in the disc opener, "Line Drive," a lazy modal piece that sounds like Red Garland would have had he turned rabidly '60s hip and played on Kind of Blue.

Chick Corea joins Glawischnig and drummer Marcus Gilmore on the disc's two trio pieces, "Panorama" and "Oceanography," the latter inspired by "How Deep is the Ocean." Lyrical and well grounded, Corea's acoustic piano is impeccable as always. Glawischnig is equally lyrical, his bass out front in the mix, equal or ahead of the piano. Based on these two pieces, the listener may have the urge for more music by this trio.

Other interesting pieces include the breakneck "Gypsy Tales," which features guitarist Ben Monder in some Blow by Blow-meets-Shawn Lane action. Antonio Sanchez channels both Anthony Williams and Elvin Jones while David Binney demonstrates why he is one of the most sought after saxophonists, sparing with Monder in what can only be termed "be bop for the 21st Century." This song justifies the entire disc.

But it needn't. Glawischnig has plenty more brain joy up his sleeve. "Set to Sea" is a slowed down gospel groove one would expect from the Crusaders, circa the Scratch era. Rich Perry's tenor saxophone is, well, rich. The piece is delightfully traditional, but not in such a way as to be boring. Glawischnig turns in a fine pizzicato solo over Perry's breathy comping. Luis Perdomo's piano is lilting as if waterborne.

Panorama is a very fine disc performed by a very fine assembly of musicians. I should not be surprised to see this disc still talked about at year's end.