Willy Rodriguez

Partially an elegy for drummer Willy Rodriguez’s late mother, the seven compositions that make up this disc include enough spiky and slanted timbres that forestall any turn towards the lachrymose. Instead there’s a variant of spiritual Jazz, composed by the percussionist, with professionalism mixed in with profundity. Measured recitations by Allan Harris are feature on the first two tracks. But despite his sonorous delivery the sentiments are mostly overwhelmed by instrumental power.

It could hardly be otherwise, Unobtrusive, but robust rhythmically, Puerto Rican-born Rodriguez works with, among others, Hery Paz and Dave Liebman. Argentinian Leo Genovese, who plays piano and Hammond Rhodes has played with ere, Ohad Talmor and Esperanza Spalding; while German tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock is usually found in the company of Tom Rainey.

In truth the trio really hits its stride by the disc’s second half, On “A Room Full of Confusion” for instance, Genovese demonstrates how profound and methodical low piano pitches set up an exposition which is then brought to emotional heights by breathy shakes and note bending tremors by the saxophonist. Additionally his organ-like wavers and stops on “Follow the Light” alternately suggest church solemnity and cadenced swing.

While the spacy and airy keyboard sustain, percussion vibrations and reed tongue slaps on “Where I Saw You Last” are sufficiently transcendent, the Genovese-written “(The Route)” which it directly transmogrified into, displays a more penetrating instigation. As high-pitched keyboard plinks evolve alongside reed story telling, harshness and harmony are equally attained. Underling both with occasional drum shuffles, bittersweet sensations sustain the album’s mood.

Remembrance mixed with reality is most prominent in the program, positing that the mixed sentiments of contemporary deprivation and future determination are adequately expressed.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. In the Unknown (I Will Find You)* 2. The Perplexity of Eternity* 3. Curie’s Notes 4. A Room Full of Confusion 5. Where I Saw You Last 6. (The Route) 7. Follow the Light

Personnel: Ingrid Laubrock (tenor saxophone); Leo Genovese (piano and Hammond Rhodes); Willy Rodriguez (drums) and Allan Harris (spoken word)*