Under One Sun: Under One Sun

After meeting forty-five years ago, saxophonist Billy Drewes and percussionist Jamey Haddad have collaborated on their first album together titled Under One Sun. Besides Haddad (drums, percussion) and Drewes (tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, C and alto flute) the project consists of Roberto Occhipinti (acoustic bass), Ali Paris (qanun, voice), Salar Nader (tabla), Luisito Quintero (congas, timbales, percussion), Leo Blanco (piano) and Michael Ward-Bergeman (hyper accordion). The musicians span five countries so rest assured there are a variety of flavours presented here.

The exotic Eastern flavoured jazz of "Home On The Hill" starts the disc with gently plucked strings and sax. As the groove begins adventurous piano takes hold with off kilter flights of fancy and the outstandingly catchy sax gives the tune its melodic sensibility. ""Tinker" is much more subtle and serene but no less complex. The flute adds an exotic element with its Eastern inflected tones and some well-placed rhythmic crashes followed by virtuosic sax work adding a certain level of excitement. "Oh Matey" might be the most tuneful track here as the sax and accordion make some sweet music together. Its back to more adventurous meanderings with the twelve minute "Walk Talk-Walked, Talked" where a persistent percussive groove and complex lines of horn, sax and clarinet ensures the music never gets boring. The ensemble is also able to instill some nice melodies making sure the music doesn't get overly esoteric. The rest of the album is just as eventful.

Although Under One Sun is complex and highly diverse I think this will appeal to many fans with an open mind ready to explore a more ethnic flavoured jazz approach. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Home On The Hill (9:18)
2. Tinker (8:23)
3. Oh Matey (5:13)
4. Walk Talk-Walked, Talked (12:33)
5. Portrait Of (9:15)
6. Excursions Through A Field Of Yellow Daffodils (6:05)
7. For Those We've Known (5:31)
8. High Above (10:49)
9. Ode To Brigadoon-A Path To All (3:56)

Added: November 22nd 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1298
Language: english

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