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SEE THROUGH 4 - Permanent Moving Parts

All-Set! Records CD AS 014 - Available from Bandcamp

Lina Allemano, trumpet; Michael Davidson, vibraphone; Pete Johnston, bass; Jake Oelrichs, drums
Recorded February 2020 at Union Sound Company Studios, Toronto, Canada

What a delight, right from the start!  Sparkling and ingenious with audibly compelling, mutual affinity; even the drums are allowed to play as though they are part of the music rather than a sometimes-useful adjunct to it.  (I’m not a fan of drum solos!).

Trumpeter Lina Allemano, described by Downbeat Magazine as “one of the most underappreciated trumpeters in jazz today” is perfectly matched here with Michael Davidson’s vibraphone in producing surprising and unfamiliar polyphonic dispositions, in which they weave in and out of each other’s essays.

Drummer Jake Oelrichs and bassist/composer of the music Pete Johnston have long been associated and find themselves again in a meld at the pulsating mood of a vigorous rhythm which seems to belie the apparent, musical elegance of these meandering deviations.  Turns and twists are the foundation and those spirals reveal yet more charisma, euphony, poise and tangible delight at the core of this quartet.  They are in turn reflected in their execution of extremely elaborate counterpoint, structures which invite and allow such resourceful improvisation.  We find them completely relaxed and not in any way fazed by the complexities of playing such pieces in ensemble.

Reviewed by Ken Cheetham

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