Quadrillion
Giant Sheep, 2022
8/10
A world class harmonica player who is also well versed in keyboards, Mathis Heise brings along Mads Christiansen (guitar), David Vang (bass) and Aksel Stadel Borum (drums), plus special guests, for this electrifying fusion affair that’s never short of soaring solos, proficient synth and firm beats.
The record leads with the dreamy keys and quick drumming of “Blue City”, where spirited guitar and playful bass lines make for a very stylish jazz fusion opener, and “Bad Luck” follows with a more rock focused template that showcases Heise’s strong harmonica prowess amid the energetic landscape.
Halfway through, “A Call From Quad” thumps warmly as intimacy and exploration meet at a mysterious intersection that you could certainly dance to, while “Carsten Kalder” focuses much on atmosphere amid the dynamic rhythm section, buzzing keys and strategic sound bites.
“Bisse Funk” arrives near the end and indeed finds plenty of grooves to reside in as the setting gets quite adventurous with its rich textures, and “Hopeful Monsters” exits the listen with 11+ minutes of cultured rhythm, spacey bouts and bright brass for the futurist and worldly jazz finish that sees the quartet swell to 9 players.
An extremely technical body of work, Heise and company flesh out an innovative and ambitious listen that nearly rewrites how jazz music can sound.
Travels well with: Quadro Nuevo- Odyssee- A Journey Into The Light; Andreas Hinterseher- Stay Away And Play!