Eric Revis: Eric Revis' Parallax (2013)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: February 12, 2013

Track review of "Split"

Bassist Eric Revis Eric Revis
b.1967
bass is notoriously comfortable within many jazz contexts and vernaculars. As a leader and session man, he's been in the thick of things, toggling between modern mainstream, trad-jazz, Acid Jazz and other crosscutting musical endeavors. Here, he revisits the freer spectrum, supported by an all-star lineup. And while there's certainly no shortage of group-centric expressionism, the bassist doesn't keep the band in a particular mode or style. Revis' menu generates an oscillating aural experience, where each piece stands on its own.

"Split" is built on succinct contrasts, executed by Revis and pianist Jason Moran Jason Moran
b.1975
piano 's lower register ostinato groove, followed by saxophonist Ken Vandermark Ken Vandermark
b.1964
saxophone 's popping notes, spiced with fractured swing inferences. At the onset, the quartet establishes a baseline built on a stirring rhythmic motif, accelerated by drummer Nasheet Waits Nasheet Waits

drums ' blustery rolls and blitzing shuffle beats. The panorama opens up as Vandermark darts, dashes, and bangs out a few bluesy inflections via a torrid solo spot. The intensity level soars as Waits' kicks the overall metric into hyper-mode, leading the musicians back to the primary theme for the closeout. Indeed, Revis and associates stir the kettle many times over and convey an interchanging rhythmic mien throughout the program.