Pulse
Panoramic, 2025
9/10
Pulse consists of Anthony Fuoco, Dustin May, Aidan Plank and Brad Wagner, who bring improvised ideas to songs inspired by the Rust Belt, Upper Midwest and the Plains.
The dreamy and lush “Pulse” opens with the quartet blending their inimitable skills via the soft keys, soothing wind, light drums and cozy bass amid much intimacy, and “Chronomentrophobia” follows with Wagner’s soulful sax guiding the playful jazz nature.
“Revisited” lands in the middle and showcases May’s frisky drumming alongside Fuoco’s complicated keys, while “Confluence” allows for the radiant piano to illuminate the flowing melodies.
Arriving close to the end, “Spring Awaits You” builds into a lively album highlight that emits much warmth from the rhythm section and adventurousness thanks to the piano and sax, and a duo version of “Pulse” exits with the heartfelt wind and mature keys interacting with a profound grace.
An effort that tips its hat towards Charlie Haden or Pat Metheny, the melodies, harmonics and textures are all fleshed out with emotion and creativity, where the jazz, classical, popular and world music bouts are much appreciated.
Travels well with: Travis Laplante- The Golden Lock; Steven Ricks & Ron Coulter- Precipitations