Bassist
Steve Swallow is better known as a sideman than a leader, though his work as a composer may be his greatest hidden asset. Long acknowledged as one of the top electric bassists in jazz, a number of his pieces have been recorded with collaborators such as
Gary Burton and
Carla Bley. But this sextet, jointly led with tenor saxophonist
Ohad Talmor, finds new possibilities within these songs, none of which have been widely recorded. The chamber jazz sextet assembled also includes trumpeter
Russ Johnson, violinist
Meg Okura, clarinetist
Greg Tardy and trombonist
Jacob Garchick; throughout the session, the musicians rise to the challenges of the demanding charts.
Talmor's arrangements are playful and full of the spirit of adventure. "Making Ends Meet" serves as a graceful introduction, though it quickly grows complex, with a particularly spirited solo by
Tardy.
Talmor hints at
Igor Stravinsky's introduction to The Rites of Spring in his opening solo to the haunting "Sweeping Up," with
Swallow exploring the upper range of his instrument.
Garchick comes to the forefront in the intricate scoring of "Chelsea Bells." The low-key arrangement of "Some Echoes" creates a bittersweet, somewhat mournful mood. The last three songs are some of
Swallow's most recognized works, since all of them date from his years of working with
Gary Burton. "Ladies in Mercedes" is no longer a straightforward jaunt down the highway but a musical trip with many detours into playful neighborhoods. The tenor saxophonist opens "Hullo Bolinas" unaccompanied, yet as the band joins him, the piece has only a passing resemblance to its original conception. "I'm Your Pal" is turned topsy-turvy, while adding fine solos by
Swallow,
Talmor and
Johnson. Longtime fans of
Steve Swallow will be delighted with this fresh look at his still underappreciated work as a composer.