Good jazz made in Montreal, just the way we like it: an always balanced blend between mastery of the great modern hard bop schools and a friendly contemporary vibe. Bruzzese is a guitarist based in the city, who has built his own musical bio by jamming in New York with the best. Then, a meeting with a certain Ben Solomon, a dominant yet extremely likeable tenor, allowed him to move towards the kind of product we hear here on Another Space. Solomon is there, of course, but also solid pillars of the Montreal ecosystem: Mike de Masi on bass and Adam Arruda on drums. For a single appearance (too bad it wasn’t more), the inspiring singer Laura Anglade brings her own colour to the ensemble.
Solomon excels in terms of sonic presence, his alert and elegantly fluttering tenor, often powerful as well, leaves a lasting impression on our minds. What ease with the freedom afforded to him, but which he knows not to abuse. Bruzzese is an instrumentalist I would describe as composed, sometimes discreet, but whose discursive quality always serves the general purpose, not the flash of self-promotion. De Masi provides impeccable rhythmic support, while Arruda’s relaxed and complicit groove offers quite a bit of pleasure to the ears of those fond of refined percussive things. If for the entire program, one finds themselves in rather pedestrian, comfortable rhythms, Anomaly, placed in the middle of the program, unfolds a bop propelled with a lot of conviction and urgency. An opportunity for all the musicians present to showcase their superior technical and virtuosic abilities, while ensuring the beauty and relevance of personal expression are maintained. I listened to it several times in a row.
Of the nine tracks on the album, eight are original compositions, while the last one is a sensitive cover of Strayhorn’s Lush Life. It is here that Laura Anglade showcases the full extent of her great interpretative talent. The young Franco-American based in Montreal handles chic seduction with conviction, and shows why she is an excellent stylist as well as an authentic performer.
A release of excellent quality in modern jazz.
Mike Bruzzese – Guitar
Ben Solomon – Tenor Saxophone
Mike De Masi – Bass
Adam Arruda – Drums
Laura Anglade – Voice (5)
