JULIAN COSTELLO QUARTET - Connections: Without Borders
33 Jazz 33Jazz283
Julian Costello (tenor & soprano saxophones); Maciek Pysz (electric & classical guitars); Jakub Cywinski (double bass); Adam Teixeira (drums)
'Connections: Without Borders' is the new release from The Julian Costello Quartet on 33 Jazz records. According to Julian, the music is about, "Connections we have to places through music and how music transcends borders" He explains further, " It was recorded in Oslo and features great musicians from different parts of Europe. Music doesn't have boundaries and nor should it. It is inspired by how musicians and music travels like nature. Open to new ideas and influences from what should be an open world when sadly some would put up borders."
When you consider the quartet has musicians from Russia, Poland, Canada and the UK it is clear music already has ideas about how to negate borders.
'Bridges' opens the album and this proves an interesting listen as we travel several different musical landscapes. Melodic lines from the sax weave their way amongst the strength of the support and there is a wonderful guitar solo from Maciek Pysz which has elements of both gypsy and rock in its delivery. A gentler section follows where the bass can be heard before the sax re-enters, this time uplifting, soaring and with a mischievous hint to its line. The track finishes with a full ensemble melee into which each musician adds his frenetically delivered message. Lovely.
' Connections' opens with solo sax, joined after a short while by the bass, guitar and percussion , creating those all important connections. An Eastern themed feel is enhanced by the intricate rhythms set up by the percussion and the off-set timings of both guitar and sax. The lightness of guitar, swiftly delivered is contrasted by the cymbals and percussive intricacies going on underneath the melodies. Second listen allows you to hear more of the textures being woven underneath whilst the wistful sax works its way, entrancing like a snake charmer. A gorgeously rounded number.
'Endless Train' is gentle, starting with open stringed guitar, joined by the sax in a contrasting, heavier mode. Where soprano might be expected due to the lightness of the strings, the tenor provides strength and the strength of the melody can be really felt. A great call. The ending is warm and tuneful.
'Everyone Has A Story' is a gentle, strolling, rolling piece and therein lies the magic of the trap because there are changes and atmospheric introductions which make this challenging and endearing. The sax sings across the top with effortless melodic phrasing and the piece feels solid, complete and well structured.
'Nord Vind' is about moving air, from the breathy sax opening , the development of the tone, to the rising of the cymbals and percussion. A sense of strength, of swirling movements before the melody sings over the top from the sax. But all is not as it seems - the challenge is when the sax dips under the guitar, whose intricate notes are insistent. The sax is dark, deep and almost menacing but the guitar rises and tells lyrical stories with its line before the sax enters again ,then makes way for a beautiful bass solo, the instrument's belly resounding with resonance.
'Rainforest' is colourful, with different rhythms and textures, the sax sliding up to notes over gentle open guitar work. You can almost hear the animals as different sounds enter and fade. The sax on this track is stand out.
'Splashing In The Puddles' is gentler than you might expect yet it holds within it all the charm of splashing through deep puddles, the cymbals emphasising the fun of it all and the splaying of the water. There is a deeper sense to this track too, a darker feel in places, which is also attractive and a different listen. The lyrical guitar of Maciek Pysz once again adds another dimension.
' Sunflowers is summery, uplifting and a well worked number with a sense of the carefree to close the CD.
Throughout this album there is the expected - 4 talented musicians, a leader with character and a warmth which infiltrates much of his playing style. Almost every track eventually ends up in a settled rhythm and Julian Costello is a player whose style has great charm as well as the ability to deliver technically challenging episodes with what appears to be ease. The musicians on this album prove their worth and each brings something to the mix which is essential to the overall feel.
Some surprises too with the choice of sax and register bringing a heaviness and deeper texture which brings contrast to the other instruments.
There is so much to enjoy on this album and it is something of a gem.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
33 Jazz 33Jazz283
Julian Costello (tenor & soprano saxophones); Maciek Pysz (electric & classical guitars); Jakub Cywinski (double bass); Adam Teixeira (drums)
'Connections: Without Borders' is the new release from The Julian Costello Quartet on 33 Jazz records. According to Julian, the music is about, "Connections we have to places through music and how music transcends borders" He explains further, " It was recorded in Oslo and features great musicians from different parts of Europe. Music doesn't have boundaries and nor should it. It is inspired by how musicians and music travels like nature. Open to new ideas and influences from what should be an open world when sadly some would put up borders."
When you consider the quartet has musicians from Russia, Poland, Canada and the UK it is clear music already has ideas about how to negate borders.
'Bridges' opens the album and this proves an interesting listen as we travel several different musical landscapes. Melodic lines from the sax weave their way amongst the strength of the support and there is a wonderful guitar solo from Maciek Pysz which has elements of both gypsy and rock in its delivery. A gentler section follows where the bass can be heard before the sax re-enters, this time uplifting, soaring and with a mischievous hint to its line. The track finishes with a full ensemble melee into which each musician adds his frenetically delivered message. Lovely.
' Connections' opens with solo sax, joined after a short while by the bass, guitar and percussion , creating those all important connections. An Eastern themed feel is enhanced by the intricate rhythms set up by the percussion and the off-set timings of both guitar and sax. The lightness of guitar, swiftly delivered is contrasted by the cymbals and percussive intricacies going on underneath the melodies. Second listen allows you to hear more of the textures being woven underneath whilst the wistful sax works its way, entrancing like a snake charmer. A gorgeously rounded number.
'Endless Train' is gentle, starting with open stringed guitar, joined by the sax in a contrasting, heavier mode. Where soprano might be expected due to the lightness of the strings, the tenor provides strength and the strength of the melody can be really felt. A great call. The ending is warm and tuneful.
'Everyone Has A Story' is a gentle, strolling, rolling piece and therein lies the magic of the trap because there are changes and atmospheric introductions which make this challenging and endearing. The sax sings across the top with effortless melodic phrasing and the piece feels solid, complete and well structured.
'Nord Vind' is about moving air, from the breathy sax opening , the development of the tone, to the rising of the cymbals and percussion. A sense of strength, of swirling movements before the melody sings over the top from the sax. But all is not as it seems - the challenge is when the sax dips under the guitar, whose intricate notes are insistent. The sax is dark, deep and almost menacing but the guitar rises and tells lyrical stories with its line before the sax enters again ,then makes way for a beautiful bass solo, the instrument's belly resounding with resonance.
'Rainforest' is colourful, with different rhythms and textures, the sax sliding up to notes over gentle open guitar work. You can almost hear the animals as different sounds enter and fade. The sax on this track is stand out.
'Splashing In The Puddles' is gentler than you might expect yet it holds within it all the charm of splashing through deep puddles, the cymbals emphasising the fun of it all and the splaying of the water. There is a deeper sense to this track too, a darker feel in places, which is also attractive and a different listen. The lyrical guitar of Maciek Pysz once again adds another dimension.
' Sunflowers is summery, uplifting and a well worked number with a sense of the carefree to close the CD.
Throughout this album there is the expected - 4 talented musicians, a leader with character and a warmth which infiltrates much of his playing style. Almost every track eventually ends up in a settled rhythm and Julian Costello is a player whose style has great charm as well as the ability to deliver technically challenging episodes with what appears to be ease. The musicians on this album prove their worth and each brings something to the mix which is essential to the overall feel.
Some surprises too with the choice of sax and register bringing a heaviness and deeper texture which brings contrast to the other instruments.
There is so much to enjoy on this album and it is something of a gem.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
