In Review--Music for Us and Them
Jazz
Project Them
A Jazz Collective
Miles High Records
When veteran jazz musicians get together and collaborate,
the music that results is often invigorating and in-the-moment. Project Them, a collective (and album title),
including: Bob Franceschini (saxophone and flute), Mark Sherman (vibraphone),
Mitchel Forman (piano and organ), Martin Gjakonovski (bass), Adam Nussbaum
(drums) and Paolo Di Sabatino (piano), contains performances where you can feel
the musicians admiring and honoring each other’s talents. They aim for a big ensemble sound with strong
melodies, and intriguing musical texture.
And a track such as, Close Enough
for Love, leaves a romantic imprint with its sweet use of vibraphone,
piano, and a laidback rhythm section.
However, don’t think for a minute that we’re listening to “smooth
jazz” here. One listen to rousing
opener, Submissive Dominants with
high-end drums, driving bass and go-man-go saxophone, will leave you feeling
alive and kicking. We’re talking echoes
of John Coltrane more robust moments. Sleight of Hand also occupies wilder jazz
territory with a lilting motif repeated on saxophone. Also listen for vibraphone and piano solos on
this number. A Short Swing rides along at a medium tempo and possesses a joyful
melody, played on saxophone then followed up with vibraphone. Ma Bo’s
Waltz slows it down again and here we have a whimsical and swirly melody
that Franceschini’s flute launches into being.
For whatever reason, I’m reminded more of Brazilian bossa nova, than a
waltz.
For these phenomenal musicians, Project Them acts as a dream
manifested. According to the liner
notes, these musicians had dreamed of working together in the past, and now
after years of seasoning their musical gifts, they bring it all together
creating a musical project, for not just them, but for us too.
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