Ben Wendel

A musician usually involved in more mainstream and contemporary projects, on BaRcoDe Ben Wendel frames his tenor saxophone and EWI within the distinctive sustain and reverberations from four vibraphones and affiliated instruments. The Canadian born Brooklyn-based Wendel, who besides working as a producer, has worked with everyone from Gerald Clayton to Snoop Dogg and is a founding member of Kneebody, expands his purview by interaction with Patricia Brennan (vibraphone and EFX); Simon Moullier (vibraphone, chromatic balafon and EFX); Joel Ross (vibraphone and marimba); and Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone, electric marimba, percussion and EFX). All bandleaders on their own right, Brennan has also recorded with Alan Braufman; Moullier with Terri Lyne Carrington; Ross with Makaya McCraven; and Villalobos with the Caracas Trio.

Hovering in the background, EFX oscillations add rippling textures to the six tracks. More crucially, the restrained hollow gourd like resonations sometimes projected from the marimba and balafon, moderate the electric instruments’ harshness and intensify the balladic consistency of the tunes. Reflecting the backgrounds of Villalobos and Brennan as well, the occasional Latin-directed percussion motifs create unique timbres when coupled with mallet bounces and gentling pings from the acoustic instruments.

Most of the time however, except for the occasional swift pop or multi-mallet metal bar stress, the idiophone emphasis is on maintaining a serene and stable narrative. That leaves Wendel to bring discordant reed stretches, strains and smears to the tracks all of which but one, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Olha Maria”, are his compositions.

The contrasts between hard reed techniques and softer interpretation are most rewarding on languid tunes such as “Olha Maria”. However even when the saxophonist’s split tones, segmented squeaks and refracted snarls intensify on more invigorating pieces like “Birds Ascend”, ditional of chiming vibes patterns and concentrated idiophone pressure cement the narrative flow.

BaRcoDe is definitely a notable musical departure for Wendel and demonstrates that he can loosen his playing in some fashion. For those who overlook the mettle created by the metal from the other instruments, the disc will sound like a pleasant diversion. Once attempted, it appears as if Wendel could go father in this new direction however/ Probably he should a;soconsider a heightened and more energetic revisit of this configuration in the future.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Clouds 2. Mimeo 3. Olha Maria 4. Repeat After Me 5. Birds Ascend 6. Lonely One

Personnel: Ben Wendel (tenor saxophone, EFX); Patricia Brennan (vibraphone, EFX); Simon Moullier (vibraphone, chromatic balafon, EFX); Joel Ross (vibraphone, marimba); Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone, electric marimba, percussion, EFX)