Resonants
TPR, 2023
9/10
The bass player and composer Artie Roth is back with the 3rd release from his quartet, and it’s an eclectic affair that makes great use of his fellow Canadian improvisors Anthony Michelli, Mike Filice and Sam Dickinson.
“Sound And Sky” opens the listen with a warm ambience, where Roth’s playful yet cautious bass plucking is quite mysterious as the tune bursts directly into the acrobatic drumming from Michelli that populates the wild jazz spirit of “Sky Blues”.
Occupying the halfway spot, “Flies With Butterflies” finds a dreamy place to reside amid the soft bass plucking and Filice’s hazy sax, while “Refrain” spends 7 minutes mesmerizing us with its firm brass, crisp drums and Dickinson’s unpredictable guitar playing.
Further still, “Out Of The Abyss” showcases Roth’s very frisky bass lines in the dance floor ready album highlight, and “Resound And Ground” exits with strong attention to atmosphere and sound manipulation in the cinematic, nearly sci-fi finish.
An extremely unique listen that spans jazz, rock, funk and folk in often abstract ways, this is a 21st century concept album that really looks at jazz music with a distinct vision.
Travels well with: Redline Trio- Underdog; William Carn- Choices