Dan Fortin

Pandemic can be the mother of invention. At least that’s what Hamilton-based double bassist Dan Fortin found when Covid isolated him in Calgary with only his electric bass. Turning obstacle into opportunity he recast his compositions for the electric model and later decided that the tunes would sound even better in partnership. That’s why 10 other musicians are also featured here.

Fortin’s dual ability to mate bass pulses – and often synthesizer sweeps – with acoustic or electric instruments is the key here. Alto saxophonist Karen Ng’s flattement and breaths blend with methodical string patterns on “Minty”, while trumpeter Madeleine Ertel’s repeated portamento flutters evolving in tandem with string strums and reflective synth continuum are instances of acoustic wizardry. Otherwise distinctive instances of electric interaction enliven “Allium Tower” as Fortin’s string frails project a lyrical melody on top, while his and Michael Davidson’s synth programs resonate with metallic stops, canine-like yelps and squeaks, Meanwhile Fortin’s canny mixture of field recordings voltage drones and a durable bass thump make a perfect setting for Phil Melanson to emphasize crackles from his electric drums on “Act II”.

Fortin is also deft at creating a solid structure unaccompanied as demonstrated “Cuesta”. Playing both baritone guitar and electric bass he encompasses spatial vibrations created by string shakes as he moves up the scale while, forging a grounded percussive beat from the lower-pitched strings.

If this Cannon misfires at all, it’s that the 10 tracks are mostly brief. Expanded playing time would have made the musical ammunition even more potent.

— Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Uh Hundred 2. Act II 3. Minty 4. Allium Tower 5. Aplomb 6. Palms 7. Eastern Side of The Ural Mountains 8. Cuesta 9. Question Song 10. Sparkwood

Personnel: Dan Fortin (electric basses, electric baritone guitar, synths, field recording) + Madeleine Ertel (trumpet-9); Karen Ng (alto saxophone-3); Chris Donnelly (piano-5); David Occhipinti (guitar-1); Thom Gill (guitar, piano, whistling-10 ); Phil Melanson (electric drums-2); Michael Davidson (synthesizer-4); Yunjin Claire Lee (synths-6) + Fabio Ragnelli (drums-6); Jos. Fortin (synths, programming-7)

–for MusicWorks Summer 2025