Wrongs
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
A guitarist, composer, educator and improviser, the Toronto artist Dan Pitt returns with his 3rd album as leader, where Naomi McCarrol-Butler, Patrick Smith, Alex Fournier and Nick Fraser accompany him on the creative jazz effort.
“Two Part” starts the album with Pitt’s alluring guitar work as precise drumming from Fraser complements the soothing brass, and “BroOke” follows with a soft and warm spirit where Fournier’s double bass prowess adds much to the reflective tone.
In the middle, “Hunter’s Dream” recruits a haunting quality as bowed strings and McCarroll-Butler’s quivering clarinet help cultivate the mysterious atmosphere, while “What Is” benefits from Pitt’s electric guitar amid blurry sax from Smith that’s very much in the area of modern jazz.
Approaching the end, “Wrongs” offers a busy display of avant-garde jazz that’s controlled chaos at its finest and not short on harmonies, and “Change Is Imminent” finishes the listen subdued yet experimental, as melody and adventurousness meet at a very glorious intersection.
Pitt has an impressive resume that includes playing with Dave Young, Pat Collins and Tim Berne, among many others, and this strong and innovative outing certainly places him near the top of the list of artists in today’s contemporary jazz scene.
Travels well with: Al Muirhead Quintet- Live From Frankie’s & The Yardbird; TuneTown- Entering Utopia