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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Beefy modern jazz, from America. For those of you with a keen ear for contemporary jazz this CD is a must. The thought of an instrumental album by a jazz bassist might not be an exciting one. Think again. To his credit, Michael Janisch hasn’t tried to play the ‘star’ here – Purpose Built is very much a collective effort. Wisconsin raised Janisch is a relative newcomer on the jazz scene, nevertheless, he has quality in abundance, and he’s out to prove it. His work is sincere and uncompromising at every level, setting new standards in exploratory sojourns. With a huge band, a nine piece outfit behind him, he can throw all manner of instrumentation into the pot. Naturally the bassist has to have the first shout, so his mellow but funky bass opens the flourishing and urban cool of Precisely Now. This is textured by blasts of sublime jangly vibraphone and smooth sax breaks setting a classy tone for the rest of the album. It has an undeniable ‘jam session’ feel sure to appeal to modern tastes. Slipstreaming into another masterful clutter of instrumentation there are ghosts of contemporary R&B shimmering through the drumming sequences allowing the lead guitarist to texturise with rippling guitar licks supported by huge dollops of edgy brass solos.
Things go mellower on the piano driven Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. Aaron Goldberg, one of the many notables on the current scene, is given a free rein to perform a masterclass on the ivories. With Miles Davis’ repertoire very much in mind, Davis’ 1946 Milestones (not to be confused with the 1958 version), the masterpiece is given a good old ‘dusting down’, spanning six minutes plus. There’s a lot of intricate detail going on here in Janisch’s new arrangement, featuring some mind-boggling sax work. Serenade Of The Sea, one of seven originals by Janisch, creates the atmosphere of lazily drifting on the waves, featuring some stylish but understated drumming by Jonathan Blake. You can almost see and feel the ebb and flow, propelled by some exquisite vibraphone workouts. Punchy Pukl-n-Pappo is a bouncy jaunt with a more regular pattern though the sharp trumpet from Jason Palmer adds plenty of spice through the sonic gymnastics. Smooth Lost Creek again features the dazzling skills of Goldberg on piano with the ensemble providing an understated backdrop for the keys to become the main focus. Janisch’s basslines are laidback and cool giving a solid foundation. After a linear opening, Beep bursts into action, principally due to some flamboyant trumpet exploits by Palmer and equally impressive energetic vibraphone workouts from Jim Hart. Finally Janisch gets to show his bass mastery on the pulsating closer Moment’s Notice, showing refined dexterity on electric bass. The verdict – Excellent.
Weblinks: michaeljanisch.com / myspace.com/michaeljanisch (Track samples)
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
