Kirk Knuffke

Two decades after establishing himself with his own groups and as a valued associates with advanced players like Matt Wilson and Matthew Shipp, cornetist Kirk Knuffke debuts a hitherto hidden talent as a singer on Windows. Still the vocal window revealed isn’t opened to far. While no Louis Armstrong or other brass playing singers, Knuffke offers a relaxed Mose-Allison-like style restricted to a couple of rhythmic choruses. It doesn’t detract from the sessions main role showcasing the interaction among three in sync, sophisticated instrumentalists during a baker’s dozen of tracks.

Full partners in the endeavor are bassist Stomu Takeishi, who has worked with the likes of Erik Friedlander and Steph Richards and veteran drummer Bill Goodwin, who had long associations with Gary Burton and Phile Woods. Besides the expected rolls and backbeats, Goodwin also functions as a percussion colorist, accenting tunes with gong and cowbell-like resonations, kalimba-like strokes and taiko-drum resembling plops. He also contributes to Windows’ individuality by briefly reciting a Willam Blake poem on one track. Takeishi’s thick pumps and subtle stops are further distinguished when creates multi-string echoes on “Ballad” matching Knuffke’s upscaled vamps and sunny grace notes.

The trumpet player’s ambulatory expressions, often abated by walking bass lines and drum shuffles include movement from portamento to Harmon-muted note bending squeaks and peeps on “Gong Suite – Part 2”, with the equivalent idiophone rippling or the triplet flutters accelerating to an extended screech on “Carey” as clipped drum accents take on steel drum intimations. Oddly enough “Heavy Times” is a swinging foot-tapper built around Godwin’s subtle brush work and Takeishi’s open string cadences.

Meanwhile the extended “For Your Needing” offers most of the trio’s elaborations in miniature. Moving over a near tuba-like rhythmic flatulence from Takeishi and what sounds like a metallic paradiddle race through pots, pans, cowbells reverberations from Goodwin, Knuffke rides along with animated brass smears, squeezes and slippery grace notes.

Knuffke may want to sing, it’s assume for respite rather than career advancing popularity. Still Windows’ outstanding sounds means that this trio can easily advance musically without vocalization form anyone.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Choose 2. Gong Suite – Part 1 3. For Your Needing 4. Mr. Bill 5. A Divine Image 6. Runs Red 7. Ballad 8. Window 9. Gong Suite – Part 2 10. Heavy Times 11. Gong Suite – Part 3 12. Carey 13. A Little More So

Personnel: Kirk Knuffke (cornet); Stomu Takeishi (bass) and Bill Goodwin (drums)