Matthias Lupri: Same Time Twice (2002)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: November 1, 2002

With a session of his original compositions, vibraphonist Matthias Lupri steers his quintet through modern mainstream adventures. His leading edge jazz pieces reflect a desire to harbor growth, while not losing sight of the tradition.

With two mallets, Lupri enjoys the opportunity to maintain an enthusiastic rhythmic drive. When interpreting a slow ballad, such as "You Just Never Know," his overlapping harmonic clouds simply roll by lazily, leaving dense colors in their wake. Most of the album, however, features the quintet's creative voice, in up-tempo fashion. Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and saxophonist Mark Turner make the most of their opportunities to stretch out freely, and both add a flavor that's near and dear to the leader's leading edge goal. Lupri has included slow, mournful ballads, such as "After Hours," as well as several blazing fast burners.

This is the third release from Lupri, a Canadian-based percussionist, and 1994 graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Knowing that there's much more to come from this young lion is firm reassurance for the coming decades.

Track Listing: Same Time Twice; Song of Change; Jade; You Just Never Know; Saucey; Wish Song (prelude); The Wish Song; Cathy's Tune; After Hours; Release; After Hours (reprise).

Personnel: Matthias Lupri- vibraphone; Mark Turner- tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Kurt Rosenwinkel- guitar; Reuben Rogers- bass; Gregory Hutchinson- drums.

Record Label: Summit Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream