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Less Magnetic: Tricknology
ByLess Magnetic takes a cue from trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in its inclusive approach, directly weaving a second style into the DNA of their overall, distinctly jazzy style. In "He is Riding a Lion, Whipping it With a Snake" (written by guitarist Gabe Marin, who is also member of fusion band Consider the Source), a sitar drone and the saxophones announce a slow, humming Phrygian tonality before kicking off a serpentine melody over Dan Kurfirst's swinging ride. "Civilized Decline" takes a cue from '70s Keith Jarrett in its quiet soul, but pianist Campbell Charshee spikes the concoction with dizzying polytonal runs over a starry electric guitar oscillation throughout. Marin, Charshee and bassist John Merritt make a distinctive rhythm section; Merritt's grooves chop up Charshee's opaque chords, which collide and make sparks with Marin's windy, ethereal guitar wails.
The compositions on Tricknology have a large but manageable breadth of complexity. The 14-minute title track goes through storybook-like stages: (1) Introduces a tidal wave of zigzagging lines; (2) Diverts into a counter line; (3) Brings in an optimistic 7/4 rock section; and (4) Whiplashes back into a combination of parts 1 and 2. Kurfirst's sets the opening riff right in the middle of a 6/4 bass pattern on his unshakably catchy "Hater Uncle," disorienting the initial rhythm until its triumphant chorus. Tenor saxophonist Ben Cohen's "Passive Resistance" starts with Shorter-esque melody/chord relation, but its spacey component deports it into psychedelic territory from which it never returns.
Each member of the group has a separate quality to offer the group. Marin is the most verbose, his dazzling gamut of techniques submerging the compositions in an ethereal glow. Charshee is equally at home with haunted house organ and Herbie Hancock-style piano, and Merritt moves with ease underneath the semi-cinematic "Gnossbor D'Charsh." Alto saxophonist Jeremy Shaskus has the icy, modern alto excursions down pat, but also shows a remarkable sense of melody in quieter moments. Kurfirst navigates perhaps the most difficult part, toggling between interplaying swing and thundering mathematics, but he does so with ease and character. As a fusion band, Less Magnetic has really committed itself to the input of things worth fusing.
Track Listing
Hater Uncle; Gnossbor D'Charsh; He Is Riding a Lion, Whipping It With a Snake; Civilized Decline; Tricknology; Passive Resistance; Terran Up Da Clubz; Stop Staring and Making Judgments.
Personnel
Ben Cohen: tenor saxophone; Jeremy Shaskus: alto saxophone; Gabriel Marin: electric guitar; Campbell Charshee: piano, Fender Rhodes; John Merritt: bass; Dan Kurfirst: drums.
Album information
Title: Tricknology | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Self Produced
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