Symmetricity
Armored, 2019
8/10
A man who wears many hats, Shawn Purcell is a musician, educator, composer, and arranger who has shared the stage with some of the best of the best in jazz and has also performed on 30 recordings. With Symmetricity, Purcell’s first time as band leader, he offers us 9 originals and 1 cover with some heavy hitters helping him flesh out the affair.
“Swirl” starts the listen with strong guitar before a busy setting sits in as all instruments collide with precision in a post-bop fashion, and “Steady Comin’ At Ya” follows with a calmer atmosphere of soothing, agile jazz sounds and creative blues influences.
Further along, “A Bela (For Darden)” uses subtle but strategic keys on warm, expressive highlight where wordless vocals from Darden Purcell are used for effect, while “You, And You Alone” recruits playful percussion in the adventurous yet cautious gem.
Late in the listen the standard “Here’s That Rainy Day” is a slow burning affair, tinted with melancholy but still so beautiful, and “Norm’s View” ends the listen with soaring singing and vibrant percussion that builds into a dizzying display of deft skill.
Purcell makes his first trip at the helm a valiant effort with varied instrumentation, impressive textures and a fresh take on modern guitar jazz sounds that unfolds with much creativity and lasting power.
Travels well with: John Scofield-Country For Old Men; Peter Bernstein- Earth Tones