Ryan Keberle & Catharsis Music Is Connection

Ryan Keberle & Catharsis

(Alternate Side Records)

By Frank Alkyer  |   Published December 2024 

Ryan Keberle comes in as an artist who consistently delivers the unexpected. As a trombonist, he’s first-call in New York, performing with almost every big band worth its salt in the city and bringing in stingingly thoughtful solo work to help these bands shine. As a bandleader and composer, he’s not going to give the listener exactly what they expect, but something more. Take, for instance, the latest recording with his band Catharsis, Music Is Connection. With the help of guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza, bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Eric Doob, the band surfs through a set of music that changes on a dime — from track to track, and often within the song itself. The album kicks off with “Throwback Moves,” a sweet and lovely groove with Meza offering beautiful wordless vocals until she drops a crispy, fusion-esque guitar solo. Doob matches her with his own fire. And all the while, Keberle is happy to guide the band through the changes solely on keyboard. That sweet groove continues into “Sound Energy,” with more wordless vocals by Meza and Keberle. The vibe is nice and lovely through that number and “Lo Unico Que Tengo,” which gives us the first taste of Keberle the improviser on trombone. The interplay between his horn and Meza’s guitar is sensational. And then, the mood changes. In fact, it does a hairpin turn. Doob hijacks “Hammersparks” with rapid-fire beats, and our nice little record suddenly turns punk. Roeder, one of the best bass practitioners on the scene today, is featured here and on the next tune, “Key Adjustment.” The mood settles into songs with thoughtful grooves, played beautifully. Multi-reedist Scott Robinson guests on “Arbor Vitae,” and absolutely slays the tune. One of my favorite tracks on the album is the shimmering “Shine.” It’s a short interlude of a piece, the kind of song that you’d like to wake up to: It’s bright and welcoming, with Keberle playing piano and trombone in his right-to-the-point storytelling style. The album ends with another sunny favorite, “Shine,” which starts quietly and works its way into a bit of an anthemic jam that serves as a killer vehicle to showcase all Catharsis has to offer. It’s the end of a well-paced, completely satisfying and exquisitely performed program.

from https://downbeat.com