Jason Adasiewicz's Rolldown: Varmint (2009)

Mark Corroto

Senior Contributor since 1999

Mark misses his large dog Louie, but endeavors daily to find and listen to new and interesting sounds.

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Published: December 6, 2009

Jason Adasiewicz's quintet Rolldown, has been together since 2004, and Varmint, its second release, again invites you into Mr. Peabody's "wayback machine" (from The Rocky And Bullwinkle Show of the 1960s) to explore ancient history with a modern ear. That ancient history is the 1960's New Thing, and our explorers are armed with the knowledge of just how that story ended.

Adasiewicz, a prime player in the continual resurgence of Chicago jazz, can be heard with Josh Berman (Old Idea), The Lucky &'s, Rob Mazurek Rob Mazurek
b.1965
cornet 's quintet and Exploding Star Orchestra, Mike Reed Mike Reed

drums (Loose Assembly) and James Falzone James Falzone

clarinet (Klang). The same supporting cast as the first disc, Rolldown (482 Music, 2008), grace this session—Berman (cornet), Aram Shelton Aram Shelton
b.1976
saxophone (alto saxophone and cornet), Jason Roebke (bass), and Frank Rosaly Frank Rosaly
b.1974
drums (drums). Where the writing on the first disc was drawn on multiple influences, Varmint bears the vibraphonist's personal signature.

That signature is heard on the six originals and a cover of Andrew Hill Andrew Hill
1937 - 2007
piano 's "The Griot," perhaps the closest composer to Adasiewicz's voice, with both prefering the odd angle and shifting progression. The title track best exemplifies this approach; Adasiewicz utilizes a hearty swing, but the ground underneath is never solid, as time morphs when Adasiewicz shades Berman or Shelton. Distracted by these fine players, it's possible to miss the time changes. Even "Dagger," featuring Shelton on clarinet, is stealthy with its old-time feel. Adasiewicz's demur solo, shy on the pyrotechnics, focuses on a minimalist color scheme. Elsewhere he goes toe-to-toe with the band in "Hide" and "Punchbug," a modal tune poem that meanders with eager wanderlust.