| First a disclaimer: Jon Irabagon,
the saxophonist on the Matt Geraghty Project's first release, Two For the Road,
has played in my quartet for the past three years and two records. I have known him
since college and consider him a close friend. I feel that this should be stated at the
outset so there are no questions as to objectivity. However, if Irabagon and the rest
of the performers on bassist Geraghty's band, guitarist Neil Alger, pianist Ben Lewis and
drummer Joe Adamik, continue along the lines that they have set forth on this recording,
it will soon be impossible for a jazz reviewer to listen to a record on which they are NOT
featured.
Leader/bassist/composer Geraghty distinguishes
himself in each of those roles. His bass work is supportive and solid whether on
acoustic or electric instruments and his writing is extremely mature. He is able to
perfectly capture the mood of his given inspiration, as in the lead-off track "Djema
El Fna," named after a cafe in the North African city of Marrakech or the casual
swing of "4802," named for The Green Mill, located at 4802 North Broadway in
Chicago. Geraghty also demonstrates a knack for writing catchy melodies as on "C
& D Groove," "Pica Lagartos" and "G-Funk."
The ensemble's playing throughout is
stellar. Drummer Adamik and Geraghty lock in together throughout the proceedings
giving ample support, yet not being obvious in their approach to swing or
accompaniment. The two never seem to be merely "clocking time." Neil
Alger continues to prove that he is a bright spot amongst local guitarists. His
introductory playing on "G-Funk" incorporates double-stops, exquisitely placed
chords and melodic twists. He managed to evoke both Jim Hall and Jimi Hendrix in
roughly 30 seconds of solo work before leaning back into early 70s George Benson.
Irabagon's playing runs the gamut from deep long tones to intricate thematic development
to high energy shrieking, sometimes within the course of a single solo. Nobody slow
boils an improvisation like Jon Irabagon. Check out the way he navigates the
deceptively tricky Joe Henderson tune "Inner Urge," the album's closer. At
times, however, the saxophone sounds as if it is in a different room than the other
instruments. This very well may have been true during recording, but the sound of a
distant horn was a little distracting especially considering the badness that was leaking
out of Irabagon's sax. A more intimate sound might have been preferred.
Two For the Road is a fine example of
young Chicago Jazz musicians taking the torch from their predecessors and moving
forward. The playing, writing and interpreting demonstrated throughout has raised the
bar for the youth of straightahead jazz in this town.
More
ChicagoGigs.com Reviews
Chicago
Music Discussion Board
|
