Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Yoni Kretzmer 2 Bass Quartet: Book II
Yoni Kretzmer 2 Bass Quartet: Book II
ByThis double disc set constitutes the second outing for his Two Bass Quartet, featuring Reuben Radding (in the left channel) and Sean Conly (in the right) on the titular instruments, with drummer Mike Pride fanning the flames. Kretzmer studied with two fiery tenor players in Ellery Eskelin and Assif Tsahar and the lessons learned manifest in a personal and uncompromising approach. Kretzmer cultivates a frayed diction, replete with overtones, harmonics and distortions. He reiterates and worries at phrases with carefully controlled overblowing, yet he also possesses a romantic streak most apparent in the ballads, but which also pervades other tunes.
Of the two basses, Radding more often wields the bow, while Conly hews to pizzicato, but both excel regardless of technique. One of the pleasures of the set stems from the fervent interaction among the foursome, not only between the inventive twin basses, but also between the leader and each of the other members. Radding's bowing forms incendiary counterpoint to Kretzmer's aching dirge on "Haden," an inspired opener which namechecks one of Ornette's chief collaborators. Radding repeats the trick in the excellent "Stick Tune," where he shadows the leader's squalling tenor. Not to be outdone, Conly enjoys an extended solo later in the same track stuffed with bent notes and speech like inflections.
As a composer Kretzmer provides just enough material to guide each piece to a winning realization, often combining free jazz skronk and attractive lyrical passages. Trumpeter Bill Dixon's similarly formulated quartets perhaps coming closest in terms of the prevailing, often dark, moods. "Metals," another highlight, starts with whale song call and response between the basses, surging into a rippling oceanic swell, before moving into gruff tenor and an exciting staccato interplay with Pride's drums. Throughout Pride shades, colors and punctuates with an attention to detail which results in an unpredictable but satisfying whole. He features again on the near 20' multi-sectioned "Number 4" which comprises the whole of the second CD and reminds as a summation of the band's considerable breadth and depth.
Track Listing
Haden; Soft; Stick Tune; Metals; Freezaj; Leaves; Polytonal Suite; Ballad; Number 4.
Personnel
Yoni Kretzmer
saxophone, tenorYoni Kretzmer: tenor saxophone; Reuben Radding: bass; Sean Conly: bass; Mike Pride: drums.
Album information
Title: Book II | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: OutNow Recordings
Comments
About Yoni Kretzmer
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To