MICHAEL FORMANEK — Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet : As Things Do (review)

MICHAEL FORMANEK — Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet : As Things Do album cover Album · 2023 · 21st Century Modern Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Michael Formanek has enjoyed a respectable double bassist status on the New York creative jazz scene for three decades. He is probably better known by his association with reedist Tim Berne, but he has released many works as leader as well. Here on, "As Things Do", Formanek demonstrates more his abilities as a composer, the occupation he is renown for during the last decade or more.

Formanek leads the all-star Elusion Quartet on this, already their second album together. It's another New York scene veteran, sax player Tony Malaby, who steals the show though. His sax soloing is always on the front, sometimes recalling the bird calls, other times sounding as a human voice. His sax is soulful, tasteful, intelligent and full of life. Pianist Kris Davis, who released possibly one of the most highly rated albums of the year this year, stays a bit in the shade here, with just a few elegant solos and some nice interplays with Malaby (who participates on her above mentioned live album as well).

Formanek (who as usually plays vertical bass himself) composition's are a bit of a mixed bag. Tightly and precisely written on a knotty but quite accessible matter, they sound sometimes a bit too dry and too calculated. Even the very emotional Malaby soloes do not always add enough vitality. Partially, the second album half sounds quite formalistic.

Even if not a strongest Formanek work, this album is worthy to be heard because of the high level musicianship.
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