Evolution
Origin, 2022
8/10
An important aritst in New York City’s jazz and Afro-Cuban scene for 5 decades, Andrea Brachfeld spent much time thinking about children’s issues during the pandemic, and that reflection is very apparent in these very diverse and thoughtful songs.
“What’s Up” starts the listen with dreamy flute, crisp drumming and much warm piano in the fluid jazz climate, and “Decimation Of Transformation” follows with firm piano and cultured melodies guiding the playful delivery.
“The Hut Song”, by the Inuit duo Tudjaat, lands in the middle and recruits skilled percussion amid the stylish and bebop friendly album highlight, while “Child Of The Earth” showcases exciting spoken word fueling the swift and dynamic meshing of keys, bass and drums.
Shlomo Carlebach’s “Ko Ribon” arrives close to the end, and trims the pace back with eloquent flute adding much to the reflective nature, and “Being With What Is” exits the listen with a dizzying execution of global influences that touch on jazz in exciting, unconventional ways.
Brachfeld is joined by Bill O’Connell (piano), Harvie S (bass) and Jason Tiemann (drums, percussion), and they help make for a very unique and worldly approach to songwriting that you can’t help but appreciate.
Travels well with: Cathy Segal-Garcia & Phillip Strange- Live In Japan; George Cotsirilos Quartet- Refuge