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Chamber 3: Transatlantic
ByTransatlantic is the second outing by the Jorgensen vehicle, Chamber 3, a follow up to the group's Grassroots (Origin Records, 2014). It is again a teaming of saxophonist Steffen Weber and guitarist Christian Eckert, from the European (German) side of the pond, and Seattle-ite Jorgensen, with another Northwesterner, Phil Sparks, sitting in on bass.
Comparing selected jazz outings to soundtracks, a good portion of modern jazz lines up in the "score for a dystopian science fiction tale" queue. Chamber 3's sound leans more to the utopian side, full of positive energy and crisp precision.
The set opens with "The Sparks," a Jorgensen composition that sounds like an outtake (that shouldn't have been taken out) of an unreleased Matt Jorgensen + 451 recording. It conjures an image of a train rolling inexorably in the direction if its destination. A modern train, well-engineered, the moving parts well-lubricated, its mechanism of propulsion calibrated to perfection.
The songwriting duties are shared. Guitarist Eckert's "Chillaxed" has a more relaxed feel than Jorgensen's opener, with a cool-toned sax solo and shimmering guitar in front of a gentle drum/bass rumble. "Costa del Sol," from saxophonist Weber's pen, does indeed shine with a sunny sound, a "drinks in the cabana at sunset" atmospheric.
Chamber 3 closes out with a straight take on the familiar "When You Wish Upon A Star." It begins with a sax solo in the foreground of what sounds like a gentle roar of the ocean, or maybe a hum of passing traffic, before it shifts into a higher gear, the melody pushed forward by deft, understated yet-consistent rhythmic drive, shining a light on a different side of the tune. A fine way to end the show.
Track Listing
The Sparks; Chillaxed; Cosmic Cow; Hesitant Spring; Costa Del Sol; Black Forest Sound; Naughty Boy; Lu Channel; Minor Moods; Man Kann Sein Herz Nur Einmal Verschenken; When You Wish Upon A Star.
Personnel
Matt Jorgensen
drumsChristian Eckert: guitar; Steffen Weber: saxophones; Matt Jorgensen: drums; Phil Sparks: bass.
Album information
Title: Transatlantic | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Origin Records