Valley Of Silence
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The Alberta residents Craig and Jim Brenan bring their trombone and B flat saxophone to these 8 diverse songs that also recruit plenty of Canadian musicians.
“Blackbird” opens the listen with Jim’s bright sax amid Dave Laing’s frisky drums for the rich jazz climate, and “Rosewood” follows with Craig’s lively trombone that suits David Lavoie’s well timed trumpet and Earl MacDonald’s firm keys.
Into the middle, the flowing melodies of the animated “Serenity” certainly could soundtrack the dance floor, while “Theme For Maxine” is an intimate moment of sublime beauty that allows for the elegant sax and pretty keys to radiate a distinct dreaminess.
Further still, “Fly With The Mind” blends Sean Craig’s alto sax into the textured delivery, and “49th Parallel” exits with Rubim De Toldedo’s adaptable bass that helps illuminate the layered brass.
An infectious listen with plenty of hard-bop flavor, the Brenan’s embrace funk, rock and Big Band ideas into this striking and memorable body of work.
Travels well with: Mike Downes- The Way In; Will Régnier- Traces