Water and Earth

On 2012s outstanding Soul, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt showcased the fruit of his ensembles six-plus years working together, gelling into a seamlessly cohesive, intuitive unit who knew how to push one another in the studio as well as on the bandstand. But all things change. On Water and Earth, Pelts fourth date on HighNote, he showcases an entirely different band, playing a very different music. The lineup features seasoned veterans including bassist Burniss Earl Travis and percussionist Jeffrey Haynes, alongside somewhat younger players such as pianist David Bryant, saxophonist Roxy Coss, and drummer Dana Hawkins. The music on Water and Earth is a study in contrasts, using post-bop and circular rhythms together, adding in electric elements and more open spaces. Opener Reimagine the World is a laid-back, shuffling groove fueled mainly by Pelts limpid horn and Bryants tight chord voicings, before Angela Roberts and Fabiana Masili add their chorus of wordless voices which surprise near the exit. Mystique is a loosely composed melody offered by Coss soprano atop Hawkins and Haynes before being joined by Travis, Bryants Rhodes, and Pelt pushing over the top. The intro to Boom Bishop is all percussive fire with an incendiary, furious head shared by Pelt and Coss tenor. She solos first, double-timed by Hawkins and Haynes offering a fluid series of breaks and driving accents. Pelt follows using a wah-wah pedal in his own solo. Bryants punchy Rhodes and Travis acoustic and electric bass set up a circular rhythmic interplay that locks the tune in. Other than on the lovely, straight-ahead ballad Meditations on a Conversation We Had, Pelt uses effects on all following tracks. His attempt at a spacy R&B on Stay, with Ra-Ra Valverde on vocals, simply doesnt work. Pieces of a Dream is a knottier post-bop tune, albeit one played with electric instruments, and it features excellent solo work by Bryant. In addition, the interplay between Travis, Hawkins, and Haynes is killer. The closer Butterfly Dreams is a floating ballad and among the most beautiful tunes on the set, with lovely restrained work from Pelt and Bryant, as well as gorgeous layers of brushed cymbals. On Water and Earth, the trumpeter is surely reaching for something new. At its best it is compelling, noteworthy; elsewhere, his search proves mercurial and elusive. ~ Thom Jurek

日本の番長が清原ならNYを代表する番長は、この男！Highnote移籍後は年が明けると新作リリースが定番となっているジェレミー・ペルトの2013年作は新境地、エレクトリック！！ これまでの硬派なスタイルを継続しつつも、自身のワウ使い、フェンダー・ローズ、エレクトリック・ベースを起用しながら、独自に創り上げた「ペルト流電化サウンド」。もはや大物の貫録すら漂わせ、更なる高みへと突き進む21世紀版マイルスに、脱帽です！
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