Lynne Arriale Trio: Chimes of Freedom

Straightahead / Pianistyka Jazzowa
premiera polska: 2020-04-16
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: Jewelcaseowe etui
opis:
multikult.com - ocena * * * * *:
Od 1996 roku, kiedy to krytycy Jazz Times Magazine przyznali laur Albumu Roku za „With Words Unspoken”, kariera Lynne Arriale nabrała tempa. Po tym posypały się doskonałe recenzje w Down Beat, New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, CD Review.
Jest absolwentką Wisconsin Conservatory Of Music, w 1993 roku wzięła udział w International Great American Jazz Piano Competition, dystansując wspaniałą techniką i doskonałą ekspresją jazzu pretendentów do głównej nagrody, zostając laureatką tego konkursu pianistycznego.

Jej poprzednia płyta "Give Us These Days" (Challenge Records, 2018) nagrana z holenderską sekcją rytmiczną Jasper Somsen (bass) i Jasper Van Hulten (perkusja) przyniosła kolejne doskonałe noty. Teraz przebudowała delikatnie skład, w miejsce Jaspera Van Hultena za perkusją usłyszymy E.J. Stricklanda (Cassandra Wilson, Terence Blanchard, Lizz Wright, Wynton Marsalis, George Colligan, David Gilmore, Vincent Herring, Nnenna Freelon) i przyniosła do studia siedem nowych kompozycji i trzy aranże znanych piosenek. Tytułowy "Chimes Of Freedom" Boba Dylana, "American Tune" Paula Simona i znany z repertuaru Odetty - gospelowej śpiewaczki "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child". Tak powstał piętnasty album w dyskografii tej znakomitej pianistki, niezwykle dopracowana, pełna pięknych detali opowieść.

Tak jak jej wielcy poprzednicy - Bill Evans i Keith Jarrett, Arriale upodobała sobie własnie taką obsadę instrumentalną, której od początku swojej kariery pozostaje wierna. Harmonie w wielu utworach są tradycyjne, funkcyjne, tworzące proste harmoniczne koła, dające wystarczające paliwo do prowadzenia akcji. A jest ona prowadzona po mistrzowsku, dramaturgiczna konsekwencja sprawia, że trudno oderwać się od lektury płyty. Wyrazisty, otwierający płytę akord w klasycznym gospel "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" wprowadza nas w świat prawdziwego, a niewystudiowanego jazzu. I tak juz do końca płyty, do dwóch zaśpiewanych przez K.J. Denhert utworów - "Chimes of Freedom" i "American Tune".
autor: Mateusz Krępski
Copyright © 1996-2018 Multikulti Project. All rights reserved

Editor's info:
“One of the most exciting pianists in contemporary jazz” (The Guardian- UK), pianist/composer, Lynne Arriale, has performed on international concert stages over the past 25 years. Jazz Police called her "the poet laureate of her generation". She has touched the hearts and inspired the imaginations of audiences worldwide and has been consistently praised as having a "singular voice" as a pianist, bandleader and composer. “Lynne Arriale's music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale's emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her…She is one of jazzdom's most intensely unique voices.” JazzTimes

“Chimes of Freedom”, Lynne Arriale’s 15th album as a leader, was recorded in Europe for release by Challenge Records International. Lynne is joined by renowned musicians, Dutch bassist/co-producer Jasper Somsen, drummer, E.J. Strickland, and guest vocalist, K.J. Denhert. In “Chimes”, her most passionate artistic statement to date, Lynne reflects on freedom, cultural diversity, and her wish that all refugee families may reach an inclusive safe harbor among the democratic nations of the world. This remarkable collection features seven of Lynne’s original, deeply personal works. The spiritual,”Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”, together with Lynne’s evocative “Journey”, “The Dreamers”, “3 Million Steps”, “Hope”, “The Whole Truth” and “Lady Liberty” weave a dramatic narrative, crowned by the trio’s collaboration with K.J. Denhert singing Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom” and Paul Simon’s “American Tune”. “Chimes” is a worthy and timely successor to Lynne’s critically acclaimed “Give Us These Days”; a thematically-related suite that considers the transient nature of human existence.

Lynne is known throughout the jazz world for the clarity, honesty and lyricism of her melodic lines, her virtuoso technique, and her genius for creating a synergistic environment around the trio, whose sound is greater than the sum of its parts.

Her albums have topped the Jazzweek US Radio Charts and have been on numerous "Best Of" lists including The New Yorker, United Press International, JAZZIZ, JazzTimes and Jazz History Online. She toured with the 100 Golden Fingers tour of Japan with iconic jazz pianists, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. Arriale has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid, Larry Coryell and Marian McPartland.

The world's great jazz festivals and concert stages have invited Lynne to perform, including five performances at the Kennedy Center and performances at Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea Jazz, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier. Lynne has toured extensively throughout Europe, Australia, Japan, South America, South Africa, the US and Canada.She has been consistently praised as having a “singular voice” as a pianist, leader, composer and arranger. With stunning clarity, purpose and emotional force, that voice now rings out with “Chimes of Freedom”.

Dutch double bassist/composer/producer, Jasper Somsen has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband and Paolo Fresu. Jasper produced ten albums for Challenge Records, which includes four albums as a leader.

Enoch Jamal "E.J." Strickland is world-renowned drummer and composer who has appeared on over 60 albums. He is in great demand in New York's jazz scene and has toured, performed, and recorded with some of the greatest names in contemporary music: Wynton Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Cassandra Wilson, Terence Blanchard, Lizz Wright, Russell Malone, George Colligan, David Gilmore, Vincent Herring and Nnenna Freelon. As a bandleader, E.J. has released three albums.

All About Jazz * * * *
Melodic intelligence and inner exploration are at the core of any Lynne Arriale recording. Chimes of Freedom is no exception. It does, however, have many moments which are exceptional. Once again featuring bassist Jasper Somsen and drummer E. J. Strickland, the record weighs in at a nourishing forty-five minutes of mood enhancement. Seven Arriale originals are the backbone of this ten-song project. Vocalist K. J. Denhert joins the ensemble for the final two tracks.

The trio opens by leading listeners through the familiar grace of the somber yet quietly hopeful "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." Arriale quickly spins in another direction with the first of seven consecutive originals, a brisk "Journey" fostered by a tight groove and a spirited tempo. Arriale's signature gliding fingers, now at the fore, indeed seamlessly glide into "The Dreamers." The mood is altered once again with this mesmerizingly elegant tune which weaves through changes in a manner perhaps more like floating through them. As melody is a crucial element to Arriale and her fan base, one may find "3 Million Steps" to be among the most important pieces on the record. It is a song which splendidly represents Arriale's distinctive sound and approach. Somsen's thoughtful bass solo is then a highlight as the trio aligns with a connective unity of "Hope," embraced with calmly joyous interaction.

Picking up the pace with a piano run, Arriale has Somsen and Strickland sprinting alongside her in perfect harmony in "The Whole Truth." Throughout the record Arriale's storytelling abilities are in abundance. "Lady Liberty" demonstrates fully her heartfelt caressing of every note. Gently, but with deep emotion, her fingers sing out with her unique warmth and charismatic tone. The ever-changing and smoothly-transitioned ride becomes energetic and strident as Strickland inserts his voice with controlled exuberance in "Reunion." This tune vividly displays the fiery enthusiasm, fierce undertones, and emotional investment with which Arriale has become synonymous.

Denhert then sings Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom." The title track is given a form of salient expressionism which is both respectful and understanding of Dylan's intent. The trio deftly tells the story significantly through their nuanced instrumentation. The final chapter is a melancholy take on Paul Simon's "American Tune." While Denhert laments Simon's verbiage, the trio paints an ostensibly clear visionary picture of the everyman tale.

Lynne Arriale has a gifted touch and authenticity which she shares every time she sits down at the piano. She can be heard as a bedtime story or as a savvy instrumentalist. As connected as she is to the piano and the melody, she is equally aligned with her bandmates. Her significant and innate melodic investment is shaped and broadened by her ability to communicate and process together as a unit. This is a true blend of arrangements, storytelling, and improvisation. It is a collective artform presented here with sincerity and sophistication.
By JIM WORSLEY

muzycy:
Lynne Arriale, piano
Jasper Somsen, bass
E.J. Strickland, drums

K.J. Denhert, vocals on Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom” and Paul Simon’s “American Tune”

utwory:
1. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (Harry Burleigh/ arr. Lynne Arriale) 04:48
2. Journey (Lynne Arriale) 04:55
3. The Dreamers (Lynne Arriale) 04:18
4. 3 Million Steps (Lynne Arriale) 04:53
5. Hope (Lynne Arriale) 04:56
6. The Whole Truth (Lynne Arriale) 05:11
7. Lady Liberty (Lynne Arriale) 05:18
8. Reunion (Lynne Arriale) 03:52
9. Chimes Of Freedom (Bob Dylan/ arr. Lynne Arriale) 04:56
10. American Tune (Paul Simon/ arr. Lynne Arriale) 05:45

wydano: 06 March 2020
more info: www.challenge.nl