Alberto Pinton’s Relentless

Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I am  the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” satirically lists the qualifications of a 19^th Century military figure.  More seriously though multi-instrumentalist Alberto Pinton could easily rhyme off his qualifications as a model Modern Jazz Musician. The Italian-born, Stockholm-based improviser has not only worked with musicians ranging from Kenny Wheeler to Mattias Ståhl, but he’s also an experienced leader. Playing saxophones, clarinets and flutes he’s recorded 16 previous discs.

Allt Större Klarhet (“increasing clarity” lives up to its name as Pinton works through affiliations and approaches on 10 of  his own compositions. Relentless features three Swedish veterans, pianist Alexander Zethson who is in the Fire! Orchestra; bassist Vilhelm Bromander, who leads the Unfolding Orchestra; and drummer Konrad Agnas, part of the Orkester Omnitona. Both also accompany Sweden’s improv elder, clarinetist Christer Bothén.

Pinton’s inventions on Bb, Eb and EEb contra-alto clarinets during the three-part title suite easily demonstrate what can be created with those woodwinds. From gutsy scoops, note-bending screeches and clarion trills as sonic extremes, his story telling  pivots also cannily project horizontal themes at varied tempos, integrating technical feats without showiness. Seconded by reflective piano motion, string stops and percussion claps, the reedist is able to sneak out expositions that are in turn emotional, sympathetic and powerful. Coloring in thematic tinctures, “Firm Believer” projects the most agitation as he turns altissimo runs into disconnected peeps. Meanwhile “The Present Moment” finds him chomping up the scale with conclusive glissandi propelled without tone breaks.

Similar mastication is exhibited on his flutter-tongued Mulliganesque baritone saxophone scoops and slurs. But not content to wallow in basement tones, his playing on “Dialogen” encompasses leaps into broken octave split tones and cries before protecting the rhythmic thrust of  low pitches. Ferocious baritone sax multiphonics turn “Folksong” into a groove piece as drum shakes, bass thumps and piano vamps additionally define the three players as a thoroughly integrated backing trio.

Pinton has been releasing notable discs for more than a quarter of a century. On the highly accomplished evidence here he should continue to do the same for a similar period into the future.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Teimah  2. Allt Större Klarhet – Suite For Clarinets  Part 1 3. Allt Större Klarhet – Suite For Clarinets  Part 2  4. Allt Större Klarhet – Suite For Clarinets Part 3 5. The Present Moment 6. Dialogen 7. Över Ytan  8. Folksong 9. Scarce 10. Firm Believer

Personnel: Alberto Pinton (baritone saxophone, Bb, Eb and EEb contra-alto clarinets, alto and  bass flutes), Alexander Zethson (piano), Vilhelm Bromander (bass) and Konrad Agnas (drums)