Home » Jazz Articles » Multiple Reviews » Playing It Forward: A Pair From Vibraphonist Anthony Smith
Playing It Forward: A Pair From Vibraphonist Anthony Smith
BySuch is the case with vibraphonist Anthony Smith. With these two albumsby-products of the former Californian's first two years in New YorkSmith makes his mark through sonic consistency and the adoption of a form of stylistic pluralism. In other words, he's forged a specific sound with his banda quintet that includes saxophonist Kenny Pexton, guitarist Syberen van Munster, bassist Petros Klampanis, and drummer Mark Ferberbut the group isn't tied to any specific school of thought. These five play it forward in so many different ways, toying with subtext and strategy from song to song.
The Anthony Smith Quintet
Play It Forward, Volume One
Self Produced
2015
The opening number on this albumthe lightly funky "Condo In The Jungle"helps to establish certain aural parameters for this group, but the music that follows indicates that all roads remain open for travel: "Park Slope Sasquatch" is a metric maze and a taste of modernism, twisting when you least expect yet playing toward certain expectations; "What Time Allows " is a light touch number with buoyant, waltz-esque underpinnings, glowing and flowing in sensitive fashion; "Cautious Optimist" is reflective and true to its name, dreamy and lyrical in character but never completely at ease; and "Propulsion" is a hard-nosed, bop-indebted number that's no-nonsense New York in every way.
The final two tracks on the albuma brief, riff-supported query for vibes, bass, and guitar dubbed "Before You Realize" and an enthralling, prismatic "Collapse"help to further the notion that Smith is a musical seeker, not a settler. His pianistic approach to the instrument and avoidance any of any manipulative techniquespedal-down overtone showers, effects of any sortmay mark him as a centrist on the instrument itself, but his music paints him as an inquisitive artist and unchained spirit.
The Anthony Smith Quintet
Play It Forward, Volume Two
Self Produced
2015
Both of these albums were recorded at the same marathon session, but fatigue clearly never set in. The band sounds fresh as can be on each and every number, delivering Smith's many and varied reflections on life in the Big Apple with clear eyes and open ears.
Play It Forward, Volume Two takes off with the semi-funk of "Maroon Corduroy Hipness," but Smith, once again, quickly alters his course. Bluesy swing surfaces next on "Not In My House," cool-headed sounds win out when "Empathy" follows, and intensity fuels the busy and harried "Logistics" as the second half of the album begins. The last number on that list proves to be a most ambitious offering, so Smith wisely balances that out with what's likely the simplest and most accessible composition of the thirteen under discussion here: the soulful, Cannonball Adderley-worthy "Welcome To Brooklyn." That penultimately-placed piece is absolutely irresistible. The album then reaches its conclusion with the ever-developing "Spring Isn't Here." It's a piece that seems to be built on the idea of continual change and renewal, something that strikes to the core of life in old New York.
While it's a jazz cliché to say that a player defies easy categorization, it doesn't make it any less true when it comes to Anthony Smith. These polyglot albums paint a picture of Smith that's full of contradictions: his work is cerebral yet earthy, he's got plenty of heart and musical muscle, he's thoroughly modern yet fully aware of the past, and he has fixed ambitions that can materialize in open fashion. Strange as it may seem, those contradictions come to define him. That's the take away from these potent yet poetic albums.
Tracks and Personnel
Play It Forward, Volume One
Tracks: Condo In The Jungle, Park Slope Sasquatch; What Time Allows; Cautious Optimist; Propulsion; Before You Realize; Collapse.
Personnel: Anthony Smith: vibraphone; Kenny Pexton: saxophone; Syberen Van Munster: guitar; Petros Klampanis: acoustic bass; Mark Ferber: drums.
Play It Forward, Volume Two
Tracks: Maroon Corduroy Hipness; Not In My House; Empathy; Logistics; Welcome To Brooklyn; Spring Isn't Here.
Personnel: Anthony Smith: vibraphone; Kenny Pexton: saxophone; Syberen Van Munster: guitar; Petros Klampanis: acoustic bass; Mark Ferber: drums.
< Previous
Roy Ayers at Yoshi's
Comments
About Anthony Smith
Instrument: Vibraphone
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar ToTags
Anthony Smith
Multiple Reviews
Dan Bilawsky
Lionel Hampton
Gary Burton
Jason Adasiewicz
Joe Locke
Mike Mainieri
Warren Wolf
Kenny Pexton
Syberen Van Munster
Petros Klampanis
Mark Ferber
Self Produced