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Andrea Brachfeld: If Not Now, When?
ByJoined by longtime musical associate and sounding board Bill O'Connell on piano, the esteemed Harvie S on bass, and percussive pillar Jason Tiemann on drums, Brachfeld delivers a set of music that's pure heart and fire. Leading off with the one-two punch of "The Listening Song" and "Steppin,'" she reminds us of the flute's might and majesty in straight-ahead realms. Then, as if to draw attention to the importance of looking inward, she re-centers sound and soul with the ruminative "Creating Space."
The sign of enlightenment painted onto this album's cover carries through to the programming choices and expressions as the album progresses. "The Silence," perhaps something of a misnomer, sings and swings clearly; "Anima Mea," moving with a waltzing gait at its core, is bookended with mournful flute folk tidings hanging above glistening and rumbling rubato foundations; "Movers And Shakers" kicks off with a tightly choreographed head, with the quartet stretching the design fabric of the song as it plays out; and a dose of Coltrane-esque spiritual energy carries "The Opening" through to its closing.
This band finds a way to leverage different strengths on each track, but it also taps into a universal mentality across the entire date. There's an incredibly pliant simpatico driving this music ever higher and deeper. If Not Now, When? is a beautiful example of four beings in tune with one another and fully aware of their own resources and recesses.
Track Listing
The Listening Song; Steppin'; Creating Space; The Silence; Anima Mea; Movers And Shakers; Deeply I Live; Moving Forward; The Opening; Amazing Grace.
Personnel
Andrea Brachfeld
fluteAndrea Brachfeld: flutes; Harvie S: bass; Bill O'Connell: piano; Jason Tiemann: drums.
Album information
Title: If Not Now, When? | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Jazzheads
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