Oblique Rhyme
Orenda, 2025
9/10
The saxophonist Joseph Santa Maria and bassist David Tranchina are joined by Gary Fukushima and Colin Woodford for these avant-garde jazz ideas that are never short on color and unpredictable ideas.
The quick and animated “War Crimes” leads with Maria’s detailed sax amid Woodford’s frisky drums, and “Hiden Lake” follows with a soulful quality via the rich sax and Fukushima’s elegant keys.
“Sum Thymes” and “Prism” land in the middle. The former is very cautious, though does utilize lively sax abouts, while the latter is a dynamic album highlight that benefits from the mature keys, agile drumming, strategic bass and meticulous sax bouts.
Close to the end, “Caricature” balances calm moments with busy bursts of jazz rock nods, and “Picking Up The Pieces” exits with a powerful and bluesy fueled finish that might bring to mind Wayne Shorter.
All 4 players bring their inimitable talents to these originals, and it makes for a creative, timeless, improvised effort that emits a rare beauty.
Travels well with: Zhengtao Pan Jazz Orchestra- Scenery In My Story; John Stein- Next Gen