South Asian Jazz Dream
Scott Williams | Oakland, CA United States | 11/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Overview:
In recent years we have been able to enjoy the chemistry between guitarist Rez Abassi and sax player Rudresh Mahanthappa in albums such as Abassi's Bazaar, and Mahanthappa's Kinsmen. For an even longer time we've been able to enjoy the dynamic combo of pianist Vijay Iyer and Mahanthappa. On this album for the first time, we hear all three South Asian all stars together and the results are dazzling. Abassi, Mahnthappa, and Iyer are joined by a stellar rhythm section made up by Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Dan Weiss on drums. Special guest Kiran Ahluwalia adds her beautiful Indian vocals to tracks 1,2,4, and 6, and Mike Block adds Cello to tracks 2 and 7. While there are tinges of Indian and Pakastani music throughout this album, Things to Come is first and foremost a modern jazz album in the post bop style. Abassi has obviously put a lot of thought and time into crafting clever songs with many tightly interwoven parts. The mood of the album tends to be dreamlike, reflective and cerebral. It's easy to let you mind wander as the songs drift from one clever part to another. Abassi, Iyer and Mahanthappa are all great soloist with very different styles and textures. There are great solos throughout and it is fascinating to go from the blasting ferocity of Mahanthappa's blistering sax solos, to the richly layered thought provoking explorations of Iyer, to the snaking, trance inducing, meanderings of Abassi. Every song is good on this CD and is a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Song Highlights:
Air Traffic - This song features dreamy textures that will have you floating through the clouds. Weiss lays down a soft pulsing rhythm on the cymbals, and Alluwalia adds some well placed lyricless vocals. This song has many little parts and great solos abound. It is perfect example of everything that shines in this album.
Hard Colors - This song opens with some monkish piano chords... not so monkish in note composition, but in rhythm in which the chords are played. Alluwalia lets loose with a great burst of Indian chant/scatting vocals. It is somewhat reminiscent of the vocal performance on William Parker's Double Sunrise over Neptune. Iyer also adds a grandeous surreal piano solo.
Insulin - This track opens with a walking bass line. It features a great bass solo by Weidenmueller. It also features a terrific simultaneously solo explosion by Abassi and Mahanthappa.
Hopefully things to come refers to many more collaborations between this great great of musicians. One of the top jazz CDs of 2009."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1