The Rejuvenation Trio is sizzling new fee-jazz collaboration between Hasan Abdur-Razzaq (reeds) Ryan Jewell (percussion, cello) both from Columbus Ohio, along with New York based musician Tom Abbs (bass, cello). I have to say that having been exposed to Razzaq's recent creative re-birth, after he was away from music for many years, has truly been one of life's guilty pleasures for this reviewer. Coming to know Hasan's work has given me a new found appreciation for free jazz and avant-garde music.
Citing 'the trifecta' (John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders) as primary influences on his own visceral style of playing the listener will be completely engulfed in Hasan's densely layered and multi–textured tapestry of sound, not to mention the sheer power of his explosive solos. The wonderfully exotic "Strings & Things Suite", which clocks in at almost fifteen minutes, is definitely an early showstopper, and quite possibly the best overall example of what this exciting new project has to offer the music world. This track marks the first appearance of guest violinist Jenna Barvitski who provides some marvelously abstract passages amid the rising and ominous tones played on the bowed cello. Time seems to stand still as the overall mood is gradually established, when out of nowhere, around the seven minute mark both Jewell and Razzaq abruptly enter into the mix to elevate this song to whole other level. Ryan Jewell is completely terrifying behind the drum kit as Hasan reaches into the very depths of his soul and lays into an absolutely blistering solo.
Rejuvenation Voyage is exactly that, a musical journey that seeks to invigorate the listener, and the primal intensity found throughout tracks like "Signals From Space", "Warp Speed" and "Explosive" does end up being rather cathartic. I'll be honest with you though, a lot of the music here (seventy eight minutes in total) will probably be a real challenge for the average listener to get through all in one sitting, especially if you not accustomed to this style of 'out there' jazz. However, in my experience some of the most rewarding and enriching music I've come across in my life have been the pieces of music or bodies of work that have sought to challenge and have pushed me to listen outside of the box. That being said, Rejuvenation Voyage isn't just about densely layered, faster than the speed of sound pyrotechnics, because the trio, and Hasan in particular, also utilizes a wide variety of exotic sounding instruments, like the tarogato, tongue drum, bells, bamboo flutes and the odd special effect, which helps to further flesh out their sound on 'mellower' songs such as "Bamboo Mist", "The Quest" (another favorite), and "Return Voyage".
The aim of music should always be to transport the listener off into their own magical journey where a full spectrum of emotions is waiting to be triggered and further explored. Rejuvenation Voyage is that sort of springboard to enlightened, audiophile bliss.
Track Listing
1) Free Play
2) Exclamation Pointe
3) Strings & Things Suite
4) Signals From Space
5) Warp Speed
6) The Search For Truth
7) Bamboo Mist
8) The Quest
9) Percolator
10) Return Voyage
11) Welcome Back
12) Off Set
13) Construct Parts
14) Explosive
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