Recorded in studio in November 1996,
Ben Goldberg's project
Eight Phrases for Jefferson Rubin was his second composition for sextet (after Twelve Minor, released by Avant in 1998). Rubin, who died tragically at the age of 35, was one of
Goldberg's childhood friends. Thus the music is not always cheerful, but it doesn't fall into mournful soliloquies either. The sextet the clarinetist gathered comprises a second reed player (
Rova saxophonist
Larry Ochs), guitar (
John Schott), two double basses (
Lisle Ellis and the ubiquitous jazzing-when-not-rocking
Trevor Dunn), and drums (
Michael Sarin).
Eight Phrases for Jefferson Rubin follows the klezmer-tinged avant-garde jazz style prominent in New York at the end of 1990s. Comparisons to
John Zorn's Masada,
Marty Ehrlich, and West Coast new jazz are all in order, since there is something of
Vinny Golia's touch here too. "Problem" sets the mood -- free-form in the underground, carefully written melodies above. "Plain of Jars" is a slow, depressive piece lacking a clear direction and makes for the worst ten minutes of the set, but "Visited" picks up the pace and features a good solo courtesy of Schott. The title track is the real showcase for
Goldberg, his bass clarinet hinting at Jewish mourning songs. Not a groundbreaking album, but an honest and enjoyable effort. ~ François Couture