Marina
Fresh Sound, 2025
9/10
The Russian saxophonist and composer Lena Bloch puts a fresh coat of paint on the work of the Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, and she’s got Kyoko Kitamura, Jacob Sacks, Ken Filiano and Michael Sarin along for the occasion.
“I Refuse” starts with Kitamura’s distinct and unpredictable voice alongside Filiano’s precise bass playing that helps cultivate a mysterious mood, and “Insomnia” follows with Bloch’s rich sax amid Sacks’ elegant keys via the rich climate.
“Such Tenderness” and “Tired” land in the middle. The former is an emotive moment that’s strong on atmosphere, while the latter uses the soulful sax amid the upbeat keys and Sarin’s frisky drums for the album’s best.
Residing near the end, “Immeasurable” showcases the expressive singing alongside dynamic and careful instrumentation, and “The Time Will Come” exits with a bit of tension courtesy of the spoken word and a distinct beauty that you’re not going to hear anywhere else.
A daring venture into avant-garde and improvised jazz ideas, Bloch and her quartet blur poetry and sound with a gorgeous and moving capacity.
Travels well with: Patricia Brennan- Of The Near And Far; Brandon Seabrook- Object Of Unknown Function