Swell Henry by Yeah No

21 Jun

Written by Glenn Astarita
font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Saxophonist/clarinetist Chris Speed’s latest rendition of the band features Jamie Saft (keys) and Rob Burger (accordion) among others lending their goods here. Ultimately, this album is short (37:41) and sweet. Speed and trumpeter Cuong Vu often interconnect sanguine melodies with feisty improvisations. And as we have come to expect, drummer Jim Black firms it all up with pulsating backbeats amid a few odd-metered metrics. Yet, one of the key ingredients here pertains to the unit’s multifunctional scope of attack. They fuse sounds of the Mediterranean and simple North African type harmonies with rock-style rhythms and modern jazz-based dialogues. Part of the fun resides within Saft’s background, mellotron chords as the ensemble sometimes transmit a hybrid, progressive-rock meets a New York City downtown style groove. On the piece titled "Flanked," the ensemble kicks matters into overdrive as the soloists’ deconstruct the primary theme. They also delve into a bit of free-form havoc on occasion. In addition, the CD foldout contains some intriguing, geometrically compiled artwork. Hint: Each song is inauspiciously identified within the various frames of art. Overall, this aggregation continues it’s singular and highly personalized mode attack via strong compositions and wittily executed arrangements. (Recommended.... )

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Yeah No
CD Title: Swell Henry
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2004
Record Label: Squealer Music
Musicians: Cuong Vu (Trumpet), Skuli Sverisson (bass), Jim Black (Drums), Chris Speed (Tenor Sax, Clarinet, & Casio - With: Rob Burger-Accordion (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9) Jamie Saft-Mellotron (Tracks 3, 4), Wurlitzer (Track 6), Speak & Spell (Track 10) Hilmar Jensson-Guitar (Track 9)Ishida Yoko : Peacock harp, chorus, cheese cake
Label Website: http://www.squealermusic.com
Rating: Four Stars