Le Rex: Escape Of The Fire Ants

   The Swiss quintet Le Rex is back with Escape Of The Fire Ants, their fourth release. It’s another delicious collection of original sounds from this brash and unpredictable ensemble. The blend of Benedikt Reising’s alto sax, Marc Stucki’s tenor sax, Andreas Tschopp’s trombone, and Marc Unternährer’s tuba is lush and distinctive, with drummer Rico Baumann keeping the grooves moving. Each of the horns has composed for the group, which assures a varied program that’s perfectly tailored for these particular players. The quintet steps right out with trombonist Tschopp’s insistent title track, and it’s immediately apparent that they’re having a lot of fun together. The piece goes through a number of changes over 8 minutes, culminating in a wide-ranging solo by tuba man Unternährer. Tuba, like the cello, is an instrument that’s adaptable to a number of roles. A master player like Unternährer slides imperceptibly between a kind of walking bass line and more horn-like parts. Stucki’s Alimentation Générale is up next, starting out with a classically calm and reserved vibe before heating up, prodded by Baumann’s insistent beat. Unternährer’s sole composing credit is for Smoking Flowers, a sort of ballad with the tuba out front. Also featured are Stucki’s smooth tenor, Reising’s sweet alto, and Tschopp’s voluble trombone. Tschopp’s standout solo comes on Stucki’s heavy-riffing Harry Stamper Saves the Day, referring oddly enough to Bruce Willis’ role in the 1998 film Armageddon. A particular favorite is Reising’s appealing Glow, with a fine Tschopp solo and a richly voiced bass part by Unternährer. I’m also fond of Ballad For an Optimist, which begins by weaving melodies from the horns as the backdrop for a spiffy alto solo by Reising. The mood is sardonic at first, but Baumann starts to kick things along and Tschopp’s piece starts to live up to its title. The closing piece is by Reising. Der Knochige Dürre moves through a number of musical zones in just over six minutes, functioning as a summation and mini-tour of the preceding hour. Crisp arrangements, strong solo work and a buoyancy that comes from years of group interaction combine to make Escape Of The Fire Ants a real treat. Happily recommended.
Cuneiform Rune 464; Andreas Tschopp (tbn) Benedikt Reising (as) Marc Stucki (ts) Marc Unternährer (tba) Rico Baumann (d); La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, no dates specified; Escape of the Fire Ants/ Alimentation Générale/ Smoking Flowers/ One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy/ Harry Stamper Saves the Day/ Elliott’s Theme/ Bändumeh Landing/ The Funding/ Strong Woods/ Glow/ Ballad For an Optimist/ Der Knochige Dürre; 69:43. www.cuneiformrecords.com

Jeff Denson/ Romain Pilon/ Brian Blade

The trio of Jeff Denson, Romain Pilon & Brian Blade makes some beautiful music together on Between Two Worlds, released by Denson’s Ridgeway imprint. Bassist Denson and guitarist Pilon have been playing together on and off for twenty years, so it seemed like time to document their musical relationship. And who better to complete the trio than drummer Brian Blade, whose eclectic musical associations include work with Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea, Norah Jones, Mark Turner, a decades-long gig with the Wayne Shorter quartet, and many others. He also has led his own band, the Brian Blade Fellowship, since 1998. Denson and Pilon split the composing chores, with five tunes apiece. The guitarist’s Sucré starts off the set. There isn’t much to it beyond a pretty melody and a cheerful chord progression but it’s a tasty piece that serves as a fine introduction to the trio’s flair and playful attitude. More of the unit’s emotionally rich landscape is on display with Denson’s plaintive Song of a Solitary Crow. Understated drumming from Blade really makes this one work. Pilon’s other tunes are the gentle waltz En Trois Temps, the moody Génération, the bright and cheerful Madrid, and the closing Azur, an easy-going number that coasts along easily. Denson offers the mellow smoothness of Nostalgic Farewell, the rambunctious swinger Listen Up, opening with a splashy drum solo, Lost and Found, a relaxed number with a pretty melody, and the title track, Between Two Worlds. As Denson explains in a brief liner note, “As musicians we float between two worlds: one, a physical plane and the other a powerful reality that can only be found with the most open of ears, hearts and minds.” On the physical plane, Pilon’s unadorned electric guitar sound and Denson’s rooted and melodic bass sound lovely together, while Blade gives a master class in accompaniment. The band’s inventive playing and exemplary interactions make this release an instant classic. Strongly recommended.
Ridgeway RRCD014; Romain Pilon (g) Jeff Denson (b) Brian Blade (d); Oakland, CA, February 7 & 9, 2019; Sucré/ Song of a Solitary Crow/ En Trois Temps/ Génération/ Nostalgic Farewell/ Listen Up/ Madrid/ Lost and Found/ Between Two Worlds/ Azur; 62:39. ridgewayrecords.com