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Tom Harrell: Trip
ByThe quartet fuses harmonious content into movements created on searching thematic motifs amid capacious spots for the frontline's glowing improvisational segments. They execute a sense of urgency and meticulously raise the intensity levels but do not overcrowd the soundscape. Essentially, they offer the listener a chance to absorb the goodness via changeable metrics, airy bridge sections and the rhythm section's brisk support. It's a democratic engagement engineered with wide-open vistas, tricky time signatures and pithy unison choruses, brimming with up-tempo bop lines and some ferocious exchanges.
Harrell and Turner deliver whirling choruses atop a rolling-wave like pulse and bassist Ugonna Okegwo's poignant ostinato pattern on "Windmills," as the hornists impart a touch of bravado, stoked by their scintillating dialogues. Whereas, the saxophonist's supple overtones and crafty diversions on the ballad "Coming Home," are gently tinted with vibrato and complemented by Okegwo's nimble lines.
The Latin-jazz element has been a staplein various flavors and modalitieswithin Harrell's extensive body of work, and these aspects surge onward with the undulating finale, "There." With drummer Adam Cruz' upbeat pulse, the hornists' counterbalancing exchanges proffer thrills a minute. Moreover, Harrell's signature lyrical faculties come to the forefront with twirling ascensions and melodious inflections. Overall, Trip signifies one of the elite jazz releases of 2014. The musicians operate at the pinnacle of their respective capabilities throughout this captivating studio set that transmits a holistic view of Harrell's consummate artistry.
Track Listing
Sunday; Cycle; The Adventures of a Quixotic Character – The Ingenious Gentleman; The Duke and the Duchess; Enchanted; Sancho and Rocinante; The Princess; Windmills; Coming Home; Coastline; After the Game is Over; There.
Personnel
Tom Harrell
trumpetTom Harrell: trumpet, flugelhorn; Mark Turner: tenor saxophone; Ugonna Okegwo: bass; Adam Cruz: drums.
Album information
Title: Trip | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: HighNote Records