Grass Machine
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The drummer and composer Clemens Grassmann spearheads a very distinct listen here, where 3 saxophones and a trumpet make up the brass that illuminates his love letter to the hardworking folks of New York City.
“Re.Cursive Op.Timization” starts the listen with warm brass, frisky drums and elegant keys that mesh into a very lively jazz formula, and “Chicken On A Trane” follows with a very swift and animated delivery that showcases the bright sax prowess amid Grassmann’s flowing drum acrobatics.
The middle tracks offer us “Tech Delight” and “Rat Jacuzzi”, where the former is a bit cautious and spotlights the graceful piano, while the latter benefits much from playful bass plucking that bounces and shakes with so much rhythm, melody and adventurousness.
Moving towards the end, “Petrichor” emits a dreamy quality that’s quite intimate, and “Glimpse Of A Second Sound” exits the listen busy, meticulous and beaming with a timeless jazz radiance
Grassmann’s in the company of Aaron Bahr (trumpet), David Milazzo (alto), Sam Dillon (tenor), Chris Bittner (tenor), Chris McCarthy (piano), and Cole Davis (bass) for these elaborate 6 tracks, and it documents the modern New York City jazz scene splendidly.
Travels well with: Braxton Cook- No Doubt; Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- Ancestral Recall