Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Relay: The Relay
The Relay: The Relay
ByThe eight songs that follow further demonstrate the simpatico relationships which are central to this outfit. With Pratt's blues-based "One Right," Clohesy's minute-long intro segues into a foundational riff, Eckroth's glistening solo stands in contrast to Pratt's heated blowing, and all four parties punch and punctuate as a single entity. Then the pianist's pen takes hold for a spell as the quartet leans into every well-formed bend and curve of "Road Traveled," cedes control to divine providence and surrenders to the call of pure passion during "Spirit Walk," and works with bossa-esque grace with "Lost in Brazil."
Save for a classy and charming trip through "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" which arrives late in the game, originals remain the order of the day for The Relay. Pratt's chipper "Song of Babes" offers a bright slice of life with its samba-like sensibilities and occasional looks into other sunny territories. "Anabell's Ballad" Eckroth's tribute to his wife trades in haunting beauty. And the pianist's "Novo Sete" plays to its name with its odd-metered flow and yearning for new truths. While this is only the beginning for this band, it's clearly the start of something big. Sparks fly on this first flight and there's little doubt that they'll yield fire in The Relay's future.
Track Listing
Four For; One Right; Road Traveled; Spirit Walk; Lost in Brazil; Song of Babes; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Anabell's Ballad; Novo Sete.
Personnel
Album information
Title: The Relay | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Same Island Music
< Previous
The Jazz Artist: Takao Fujioka
Comments
Tags
The Relay
Album Review
Dan Bilawsky
Two for the Show Media
Same Island Music
Dan Pratt
Michael Eckroth
Matt Clohesy
Allan Mednard