MICHAEL FORMANEK — Small Places (review)

MICHAEL FORMANEK — Small Places album cover Album · 2012 · 21st Century Modern Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
NY-based bassist Michael Formanek's debut on German ECM label was released two years ago and being really strong album didn't make a lot of fuss.It looks that ECM tested the market with a bit more adventurous release than their regular ones, and they stayed happy with the results.

Second album quartet released with same line-up, but this time release was supported by US-European tour (who said that jazz is dead if even such non-commercial releases are supported by transcontinental tours?)and big campaign in media. Only month has gone from the day of album's release, but I saw lot of (generally very positive) reviews in European and especially UK press.So - what do we have here?

Shortly, music here is more or less same as on previous album. Same - but better. Opener "Small Faces" is one of most memorable album's composition,collective work with excellent communication between musicians. The difference one can hear from very beginning is that this album, being a classic ECM release, is a bit freer and a bit more adventurous. It looks after some success of first Formanek's album on ECM label decided their listeners wouldn't be shocked by some doze of adventure and let the musicians do not limit themselves by too safe musicianship.

Second song "Pong" is almost hit - catchy melody with bright,very lively Tim Berne sax melodic line. Before recording of this album musicians played lot of gigs together so communication level is almost telepathic. Each quartet member has enough place for improvisation inside of quite framed compositions structures.

My first meeting with this album's music for me happened during album presentation concert and it was really interesting to see and hear, how live musicianship was close to studio sound, even sound balance and atmosphere was "typical ECM". I expected to see legendary Tim Berne's sax improvs, but was slightly disappointed - on this album he is just one of quartet members and perfectly plays this role.Probably biggest surprise was fast,very technical and quite brave pianist Craig Taborn explosive improvisations. Not only during concert but on recording as well he's probably main hero.

Album's compositions notably differ one from another, but are really related by musical concept. American jazz tradition gets European chamber feeling and result is quite elegant and accessible from first impression, but multilayered and far not so simple music, after every repeated listening you'll find new interesting moments here.

Adventurous jazz not always is dissonant,structureless or screaming. Recommended!
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