Imaginary Structures
Three Pines, 2021
8/10
Listen to Imaginary Structures
The debut album from the Montreal bassist, Levi Dover brings along Lex French (trumpet), Erik Hove (alto sax), Oliver Salazar (vibraphone), Andrew Boudreau (piano) and Kyle Hutchins (drums) for the very imaginative 10 tracks.
“First Impression” gets the listen off to warm start as Salazar’s elegant vibraphone and French’s soulful trumpet guide the creative jazz opener, and “In Hindsight” follows with Boudreau’s playful keys and Hutchins’ subtle drumming adding much to the cautious atmosphere.
Halfway through, “MK” emits much beauty in its precise and unpredictable nature, while “Galapagos” showcases Dover’s sublime bass plucking amid mesmerizing keys and no shortage of reserved yet adventurous songwriting.
Arriving near to the end, “The Fox And The Cat” meshes brass, drums, piano and bass into a darker texture that’s no less impactful in its rumbling template, and “Imaginary Structures” exits the listen with a flowing delivery of stirring, reflective and timeless progressive jazz nods.
Also a player in the Gentiane MG Trio, Dover mixes post-bop, classical and progressive ideas here, where his strong attention to detail and superb execution make for a thriving first album.
Travels well with: Earl MacDonald- Consecrated; Le GGRIL- Sommes