Entering Utopia
Three Pines, 2021
9/10
A Canadian trio composed of Kelly Jefferson (tenor and soprano saxophone), Artie Roth (acoustic bass) and Ernesto Cervini (drums, percussion and bass clarinet), as TuneTown the skilled improvisers bring originals and standards to this very precise and playful sophomore album.
“Hello, Today” starts the listen percussively strong as saxophone enters the vibrant and soulful jazz landscape, and the title track follows with a more subdued approach with strategic bouts of sax, clarinet and acoustic bass.
Closer to the middle, “Flood, Deluge” quivers with an avant-garde feel as quick drumming and playful brass interact in firm, exciting ways, while “Look Down” leads with a soothing, almost meditative quality that makes quite an impact in just one minute. “Cheryl”, a really exceptional track and Charlie Parker cover, then displays carefully plucked bass as the setting builds into a rhythmic and swift climate of fascinating jazz prowess.
Deeper still, “Memories Remain” offers a soft, agile atmosphere that spends 6 minutes building into a cathartic and powerful album highlight, and “Blue Gardenia” exits the listen bare and warm, where intimacy and meticulousness meet at a very pleasant finish.
Not surprisingly, all 3 members of TuneTown are Juno nominated, and that immense talent is certainly present on this occasionally intense, sometimes sparse and always creative venture into experimental, funk friendly jazz that resonates long after the music has stopped
Travels well with: Mike Freedman- Into The Daybreak; David Restivo- Arancina