PAUL GIALLORENZO’S GITGO - Force Majeure
Delmark Records: DE 5015
Paul Giallorenzo, piano; Mars Williams, saxophones; Jeb Bishop, trombone; Anton Hatwich, bass; Quin Kirchner, drums.
GitGo previously recorded for Leo Records and following that release toured for part of 2013, returning to the studios to publish, this year, Force Majeure for the Delmark label. Time together on the road will often add strength to any ensemble and the band in this instance seems to bring to Paul's original compositions a hard-hitting ingenuity that never loses sight of its structure nor its sense of equilibrium. While never losing sight of the individuals' skills with their instruments, the composer's talents should also be remarked. Not only has he included configurations appropriate to each player, but has so contrived the nodal points of his structures that the interstices between them may be modulated to accommodate both solo and ensemble improvisation.
This release offers a mere 54 minutes of music, yet so strong is the band, it surely must contain much more and we will undoubtedly look forward to hearing that. There is just one weak point I felt – the final track Roscoe-Far-I includes an added-on dub version of itself, the point of which I could not deduce. It is introduced by the scratch-scratch of many a run-in sound of old vinyl and plays at a slightly unnaturally fast pace. Musically it adds nothing.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Delmark Records: DE 5015
Paul Giallorenzo, piano; Mars Williams, saxophones; Jeb Bishop, trombone; Anton Hatwich, bass; Quin Kirchner, drums.
GitGo previously recorded for Leo Records and following that release toured for part of 2013, returning to the studios to publish, this year, Force Majeure for the Delmark label. Time together on the road will often add strength to any ensemble and the band in this instance seems to bring to Paul's original compositions a hard-hitting ingenuity that never loses sight of its structure nor its sense of equilibrium. While never losing sight of the individuals' skills with their instruments, the composer's talents should also be remarked. Not only has he included configurations appropriate to each player, but has so contrived the nodal points of his structures that the interstices between them may be modulated to accommodate both solo and ensemble improvisation.
This release offers a mere 54 minutes of music, yet so strong is the band, it surely must contain much more and we will undoubtedly look forward to hearing that. There is just one weak point I felt – the final track Roscoe-Far-I includes an added-on dub version of itself, the point of which I could not deduce. It is introduced by the scratch-scratch of many a run-in sound of old vinyl and plays at a slightly unnaturally fast pace. Musically it adds nothing.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham