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Wellstone Conspiracy: Motives
ByA highlight of the recording is the opening "Bye Bye Blackwell," Jenson's tribute to the late drummer Ed Blackwell. The tune builds on Johnson's droning double stops and Jenson's lyrical melody with spirited free-form improvising and aggressive drum flourishes from Bishop. Anschell's swinging "Phindango," based on the chord changes to Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," showcases the pianist's ability to express harmonic sophistication with an inviting warmth. The tune also features one of many exceptional solo spots for Johnson. The bassist shines throughout the recording with a deep-in-the-wood tone and free flowing lines. He is especially poignant on his composition "Portrait," a moving ballad.
Jenson, heard exclusively on soprano saxophone, utilizes subtleness in phrasing his original melodiesthe bouncy waltz "Anne Rose" and the quirky "Doop Dee Doop. This same understated approach carries over into his convincing bebop-inspired solos with clever rhythmic variations.
The disc closes with a rather brooding arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's ballad "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing." Here, Anschell uses sparse motifs in his solo to create a kind of floating intensity that signifies the underlying motive of the ensemble; a pervading accessibility with a readiness to move freely beyond convention.
Track Listing
Bye Bye Blackwell; Phindango; Anne Rose; Turbulator; Portrait; Stories We Hold; Doop Dee Doop; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing.
Personnel
Brent Jensen
saxophone, altoBrent Jensen: soprano saxophone; Bill Anschell: piano; Jeff Johnson: bass; John Bishop: drums.
Album information
Title: Motives | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Origin Records
Comments
About Brent Jensen
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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