Bridges
Fwé, 2020
9/10
Though this is the first album from the Toronto resident and saxophone extraordinaire Jesse Ryan, you certainly wouldn’t know it from his skilled meshing of jazz and Afro-Caribbean textures. A true cultural journey, he even brings in musicians from both Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, which is where Ryan was born.
“Big Ole’ Shoes” starts the listen percussively strong as Ryan’s agile saxophone and Andrew Marzotto’s guitar lines guide the rhythmic opener, and “Brides” follows with dreamy guitar by Sean Clarey as a light yet complicated setting unfolds with plenty of timeless jazz appeal.
At the halfway point, “Right To Be Wrong” offers a quick prelude of spoken word by Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, that segues into the formal track which recruits the Mt. Cullane Tambrin Band for a soulful and soothing ride of plucked bass and intimate brass.
Deeper yet, “The Way” allows Joanna Majoko’s sublime vocals to shine in the melodic and warm setting, while “Seeds” displays piano acrobatics amid Lucian Gray’s strong guitar prowess and strategic congas from Nicolas Frangini-Salvo.
Ryan plays both alto and soprano saxes, and does so quite well on this first record where all tracks are originals and unfold with no shortage of culture, rhythm and melodies you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: The Nimmons Tribute- To The Nth; Richard Whiteman- Very Well & Good