It Was Time
Terra Voce 2023
8/10
The multi-instrumentalist Mark Ortwein finally delivers his own album, and it’s an effort that recruits his decades of experience in jazz groups and classical orchestras where he handles woodwinds and welcomes plenty of help.
Ortwein places the title track in the lead off position, as his tenor sax and bass clarinet create an intimate mood and Frank Glover’s warm piano won’t go unnoticed, either, and “Pepperoni Grande Con Queso Mas” follows with baritone sax and electrified bassoon being navigated by Ortwein with much adventurousness.
“Basso Bossa” lands in the middle, and places Peter Hansen on bass and Ortwein on alto sax for the frisky jazz delivery, while “No More Butterflies” welcomes Carrington Clinton’s precise drums and John Fell’s graceful guitar to Ortwein’s soulful baritone sax and dreamy flute.
“Schizoid” and “Bigfoot” exit the listen, where the former is a bright and superbly textured album highlight that enlists Craig Hetrick on drums alongside Ortwein’s bassoon, and the latter benefits from Olas Ortwein’s guitar, keys and bass in the dense, rock filled finish.
An artist who has been so busy for the last 30 years playing all over the world and collaborating with countless musicians, the pandemic finally allowed him time to flesh out a record as leader, and it sure is a diverse and exciting effort.
Travels well with: Eric Goletz- Standard-ized!; Jim Self- My America 2: Destinations