Patrick
Brennan's erudite and fascinating liner notes reveal an artist
who knows who he is and what he is doing. Reading the notes
offers a glimpse into the foundations for each of his compositions
and an inkling into his particular creative process generally.
Among
his insights are that "...composition is really just
a slower species of improvisation ... that reconsider[s],
redefine[s], and renew[s] all of the musical elements"
and that it can "...help to stave off cliché,
intensify ensemble concentration, and raise the level of improvisation
from a solo/ individualist orientation to a more comprehensive
and inclusive one."
The
pieces on this album, all of which Brennan composed, reflect
this philosophy, beginning with the opening "Drums not
Bombs," a quirky and difficult piece (that drags a bit
on the vamp) with riveting drum work, in which the roles of
the improvisers and the composer are sometimes difficult to
differentiate. Brennan shies from traditional structure, at
least the head-solos-head edifice that has typically informed
jazz. He also eschews common tempos and meters, keeping the
musicians on their toes and his listeners focused.
On
a piece such as "Hot Red," a slightly offbeat funky
groove leads to a woozy, abstract solo by trombonist Steve
Swell, who is eventually joined by sax and drums, and then
whose solo morphs somewhat into a swinging pulse. This is
followed by a harmonically limited, though technically impressive
solo from Hill Greene, after which the band reverts to the
early groove that leads into (and is captured by) "Shadow
Doing.".
Each
track has its pleasures, with "Rough Hue," for example,
altering phrases in characteristically unconventional ways,
leading to a spectacular group improvisation.
Steve
Swell is an outstanding choice on trombone, one of the few
on his instrument able to negotiate complex structures and
build on them without compromising compositional integrity.
Although
Brennan's impressive writing overshadows his other skills,
he proves himself an adequate saxophonist with a full-bodied
tone, decent sense of swing, favoring jagged lines and off-kilter
bursts of energy.
-Steven Loewy
allmusic.com
**Brennan,
Patrick/The Drum is Honor Enough/CIMP 305/2004/2004 02 17+2004
02 18/1. 4
stars (best of artist)
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