Porchbone

Expanding its timbral imprint with a brassy supplement, Boston area’s Porch Trio adds textures from three trombones on its eponymous disc. The core group of percussionist Eric Rosenthal, bassist Nate McBride and Jorrit Dijkstra on alto saxophone, lyricon and electronics introduce ‘bone tones from veteran trombonists Jeb Bishop and Michael Prentky and bass trombonist Bill Lowe. The resulting episodes of slide inventions have been rarely attempted since Jay & Kai’s multiple trombone experiments of the 1950s.

Working out on seven Dijkstra compositions and an Ellington standard, growls, slurs and smears from the brass section serve as reinforcement or expansion of sharp reed vibrations, drum smacks and string strums that define the tracks. Occasionally, as on “Three Into Ten” the trombonists’ plunger effects and darkened lowing create a lockstep foundation in counterpoint to andante reed tongue stops and double bass thwacks. More commonly as on “One”, unison treble pitches segmented with gutbucket and tailgate smears evolve over a quasi-Latin beat on the first. Or in contrast a wavering Free Jazz-like march on “Two”, balances horizontal motion. “One” later moves away from a crescendo of slippery sax vibrations and drum smacks to blend reed dot-dash bites and tremolo brass slurs into a polyphonic climax.

Electronics used sparingly to bring video-game-like sounds or oscillating swizzles and stops adding fresh motifs to the already diffuse narratives. Meanwhile other tracks are innovative on their own to showcase the singular trio. Although individual credits aren’t given, successive trombone interjections encompassing portamento slides, subterranean scoops and rippling triplets as well as group harmonies, confirm how the brass add-ons give the performances more scope and reach.

While it may not be a regular grouping, the elements that make up Porchbone offer numerous avenues for future sonic explorations.

–Kern Waxman

Track Listing: The Trombatics Suite: 1. One 2. Five Into Four 3. Seven (Trio) 4. Two 5. Three Into Ten 6. Eight (Trio) 7. Six Into Nine 8. Warm Valley

Personnel: Jeb Bishop, Michael Prentky (trombone); Bill Lowe (bass trombone); Jorrit Dijkstra (alto saxophone, lyricon, analog electronics); Nate McBride (acoustic and electric bass) and Eric Rosenthal (drums and percussion)