Breaking Stretch
Pyroclastic, 2024
9/10
The composer, vibraphonist and marimbist Patricia Brennan is joined by an excellent cast for these adventurous 9 tracks that are experimental in a jazz fueled sort of way.
“Los Otros Yo” opens the listen with much rhythm, where Brennan’s lively vibes are met with Mark Shim’s glowing tenor sax and Marcus Gilmore’s frisky drums, and the title track follows with Jon Irabagon’s radiant sax amid Adam O’Farrill’s rowdy trumpet acrobatics.
In the middle, “Palo de Oros” spends 9+ minutes mesmerizing us with its minimal versus festive bouts thanks to Mauricio Herrera’s lively percussion, while “Five Suns” benefits much from Kim Cass’ skilled bass and Brennan’s meticulous mallets via the cultured album highlight.
Arriving near the end, “Manufacturers Trust Company Building” is full of agile winds, brass and drumming ideas that are uniquely melodic, and “Earendel” exits with O’Farrill handling electronics for the rich and dynamic finish.
An unpredictable journey that’s constantly shifting in tone and aesthetics, the septet touch on Brennan’s Mexico roots with funk and salsa nods to complement the jazz backdrop.
Travels well with: Modney- Ascending Primes; Ches Smith- Laugh Ash