|
The best jazz
music is produced and presented live. That's why the Musicians in the
New England jazz supergroup Once
Through ‑ saxophonist Dan Moretti, bassist Marty Ballou,
drummer Marty Richards, and guitarist Bruce Bartlett ‑ decided to
record their self‑titled debut disc completely live in the studio.
The disc was laid down across two four‑hour sessions with no
charts, and most of the takes played through just once. Hence, the
title.
Recorded at
First Notes Studio and mixed and mastered at Celebration Sounds, Once Through is
a remarkable accomplishment made hy remarkable musicians. On repeated
listening, it never fails to turn up something new, to reveal nuances of
tone and technique. Together the quartet ventures through a colorful
terrain of material, from sultry, quiet storm stuff on the Bill Withers
standard "Ain't No Sunshine," Moretti's stunning free
arrangement (on alto flute!) of "Tenderly," and Bartlett and
Richard's paroxysms of instrumental joy on Milt Jackson's classic
"Bag's Groove" to the closing avant‑garde breakdown amid
"Walkin'," a tune composed by Richard Carpenter and made
famous by Miles Davis, the recording is a Pandora's box of musical
surprises, jazz style ~ in terms of performance, in terms of treatment,
and especially in terms of spirit.
It's no
surprise to learn that saxophonist Moretti, who led the session, has an
extensive and impressive resume as an international jazz player. In
addition to writing and performing his own work for worldwide audiences,
he's also appeared with artists as celebrated as Aretha Franklin, Tony
Bennett, James Moody, and Dave Liebman. An Associate Professor in the
Contemporary Writing and Production Department at the Berklee College Of
Music and a Boosey & Hawkes Artist‑Clinician, Moretti has
developed a respected reputation as a world class musician. He works in
a variety of jazz contexts, including Latin, contemporary, and
straight‑ahead and his spontaneous versatility is in full flourish
on Once Through.
Not
surprising, either, is the support of the other musicians involved. Like
all great rhythm sections, Richards and Ballou provide the glue. Without
solid rhythm, a jam session has no foundation; without a foundation, the
solos lose focus and potency. Bartlett, who appears on four of the nine
tunes here, provides his own piquant fills, adding flavor at times, a
backbone at others. Together, the quartet proves gifted, magical and
entertaining. Together, the quartet will take Once Through from
the top, to the top.
"On
this project the band offers thoroughly enjoyable adaptations of known
tunes with some tastes of Stanley Turrentine. It has variety, soulfulness and inventive arrangements. "~
David Liebman
"Never underestimate the value of a band that works a lot. that
chemistry and intuition carry the day when they go into the studio and
play fresh material once through ~ and without a net. This is Moretti at his soulful best, revealing new,
facets in a variety of great songs. "
Ken
Franklin, Jazz Critic, UPI, Jazz Times
|
SONGS
Track
One 
Ain't No Sunshine 7:11
Track
Two
Tenderly 6:51
Track
Three
Bag's Groove 6:18
Track
Four
Bostic
4:34
Track Five
Ruby My Dear 5:39
Track Six
Tenor Conclave 5:08
Track Seven
Rhythm A Ning 3:48
Track
Eight
Ascendant 5:58
Track
Nine
Walkin’
6.59
|
