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Dave Burrell / Steve Swell: Turning Point
ByRecorded at the Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia, the duo mingles playful dialogues with bold exchanges, including Swell's gutsy and soul-drenched jazz lines, tinted with tremolo and blistering solo spots. Nonetheless, the musicians generate and reconstruct Civil War era stylizations, often heard by way of strings quartets or solo banjo and piano performances. Hence, Burrell's delicately executed melodies and rhythmically sculpted block chords capture this period in music, where sorrow and reflectiveness seemed to be the basis for simple, yet heartwarming harmonic motifs. However, pieces such as "Church Picnic Celebration" and "Paradox of Freedom" are fashioned with bluesy and drawling riffs and full throttle improv segments, contrasted by abstract variations and rollicking breakouts. It's so interesting to hear the jazz vernacular retuned in such a way.
On "Fancy Trade Nightmare," Swell's raspy and down home lines ignite a sense of angst as Burrell quietly comps in the background; whereas, the final track "Battle at Vicksburg"the final campaign of the Civil War sounds like a eulogy, where closure is attained with Burrell's solemn voicings and moderate metrical flows. Otherwise, I'll go out on very a short limb, advising that Turning Point is a must listen for most if not all jazz aficionados.
Track Listing
One Nation; Battle at Gettysburg; Church Picnic Celebration; Paradox of Freedom; Disease Hits Contraband Camp; Fancy Trade Nightmare; Battle at Vicksburg.
Personnel
Dave Burrell
pianoDave Burrell: piano; Steve Swell: trombone.
Album information
Title: Turning Point | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: NoBusiness Records
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