Aperture
Origin, 2022
9/10
The Los Angeles pianist and composer/arranger Michael Orenstein makes quite an impression with this debut recording, where Logan Kane plays bass, Myles Martin handles drums and several esteemed guests contribute their inimitable skills.
“Opposite World” starts the listen with the meticulous keys and warm bass, as Sam Klein-Markman’s glowing guitar helps illuminate the flowing jazz climate, and “Not Today” follows with a swift and busy display of swirling melodies that benefits from “Chase Jackson’s vibes and Nicole McCabe’s alto sax.
“Sharing The Mirror/Eye Of The One Fingered Sorcerer” arrives in the middle, and showcases Seah Harrison’s alto sax complementing the agile keys, while “21 Rabid Realtors” recruits Sean Harrsion on soprano sax and Barclay Moffitt on tenor sax for the cautious album highlight.
Deeper still, “Reminder” finds itself intimate and expressive with the rhythm section particularly luminous, and “To Come Full Triangle” exits the listen with bass acrobatics and Klein-Markman’s guitar interacting playfully amid the dreamy vibes and radiant brass.
A listen that’s heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock and Billy Childs, Aperture is full of dynamic musicianship that weaves in and out of exceptional jazz textures on this superb first album.
Travels well with: George Cotsirilos Quartet- Refuge; Randy Napoleon- Puppets: The Music Of Gregg Hill