Music on Our Radar
Revolution by House of Waters
Revolution by House of Waters… It is always a good sign when you listen to about the first minute of a CD and find yourself immediately drawn right in; “Revolution” by House of Waters had that effect on me!
There is a marked world music influence on this group’s body of work and it shows in the percussive and musical choices they have made. They build a “scaffolding” that is both rhythmic and melodious in each tune. This approach might seem repetitive but then they adorn it with sparkling jewels of musicality like a fine unique tapestry. There are constant patterns but the way they are woven together results in an artistic thing of great beauty. The upbeat feel to the tempos and high energy make it so that you can’t avoid just feeling good while you listen.
Lets meet the players…
Moto Fukushima
6-string bass, acoustic bass, shamisen
Max ZT
Hammered Dulcimer, Kalimba
Luke Notary
Cajon, drum set, Kamalen N’goni, Karinye, patica, calabash, tamani, tamborim, rio, frame drums, leg thing, ocean drum, doumbek, talaandig
Brandon Terzic
Xalam n’goni
Chris Hale
Voice
With a special guests on “Ball in Cage”
Moto shared this with me about this project…
“With our third release – Revolution – House of Waters pushes the boundaries of world music. Revolution is an appreciation and an homage to the music and traditions of West Africa, South America, India, and Jazz. Drawing from New York City’s diverse culture and our own studies from around the world, House of Waters blends the future with the past. In today’s ever porous world, House of Waters’ innovative and unique approach to our compositions allows the listener to lose themselves in the simple beauty of the sound. And with a heavy influence from world percussion traditions from around the world, the music may sound like something one has never heard before, and at the same time like music one has been familiar with for a long time. Using one of the world’s oldest instruments – hammered dulcimer – and one of the world’s newest – six string bass – House of Waters bypasses time. Check out this revolutionary new album for something you will truly enjoy.”
In general, these musicians produce a unique sound that seems to come from more than just three guys. The bass playing is precise, percussive and melodic and very notable but not over the top. Moto’s soloing shows the clear mastery of his craft. Luke is tireless and simply amazing. Max’s melodies from the dulcimer and kalimba are mesmerizing and uplifting. Needless to say, these guys really have their act together!
Lets look at some of the tracks…
“Martino” is the opening track and starts with simple percussion. Add a clear harmonic bass playing chords that transitions into a kind of“Tumbao” feel and blend in the dulcimer playing a Mid-Eastern sounding pattern and you have a great start! The tune unfolds and the precise, intricate play between the bass and dulcimer just blows you away!
“Chaca” starts with a simple melody that sounds Japanese to me then builds into a Kind of “Joropo” tempo. The music carries you to another place and the fluid solo of Moto’s bass keeps you suspended in mid-air. The wide variety of percussive sounds that power this piece keep the rolling movement going throughout. The end reverts to the initial sound and all winds down.
“Revolution” is the track where the Kalimba comes into play leading the way. The percussive component and the bass blend in a Latin/African fusion. If you want to hear for yourself, this track is a freebie on House of Water’s website.
“Agnolim” opens with the bass laying an arpeggio pattern. The drums and dulcimer expand on that foundation and the tune tells a story as it progresses with the bass, shifting into a groove mode before Moto cuts loose and makes the bass literally sing.
I could go on and on about every track on this CD but I recommend that you experience this excellent music for yourself.
If you find yourself in NYC, keep an eye out as you might find House of Waters working hard almost anywhere!
Check this CD out!
Mark Egan, Cross Currents…
It is exciting every time I get a new album from Mark Egan as he is such an amazingly versatile player and I never know what to expect (except for excellent artistry!) In his latest release, Mark has teamed up with Shawn Peyton on drums and Shane Theriot on guitar to bring us “Cross Currents”.
This collection of eleven tracks transports me to the Gulf Coast (New Orleans specifically). Mark’s fretless basses lay down a solid groove and lots of juicy solo work for this rootsy collection of funk, ambient, swamp-rock, second line, ballads, Cajun and even Indian Raga.
This trio is super-tight and the musicianship is flawless as each member has ample opportunity to shine. Even though each player is very talented in their own right, I feel that the collective energy is greater than just the sum of the players on this album. Each musician contributed to composing music for this project but the lion’s share are Mark’s original pieces.
I spent the summer of 1981 in New Orleans and this wonderful music takes me back to those fond memories. I participated in a wacky raft race on Lake Ponchatrain and this opening track elicits images of fun, sunshine, music, and great food.
This is another superb album that everyone will enjoy. Get your copy today! Cross Currents is available online at Amazon.com. Visit Mark online at markegan.com.
Brian Bromberg, LaFaro…
Scott LaFaro was an extraordinary upright bass player who we lost in 1961 at the age of 25. Even though he was a young bassist he worked with the Bill Evans Trio from 1959 to 1961; he was an exceptional musician and his bass work was lightyears ahead of his time.
Brian Bromberg has teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero to produce a tribute album to this legendary player. We are treated to a dozen tracks (with three bonus tracks on the digital platforms) that were Bill Evans Trio standards. While the original band’s work inspired Brian, this tribute album is not an attempt by the musicians to replicate the music but to organically express themselves on these tunes. When you listen, you may note that it doesn’t sound like LaFaro and it isn’t supposed to.
As I have noted on many of Brian’s previous albums, the bass work (all upright here) is extraordinary and he knows how to get a crystal-clear sound. Every note is pristine and balanced perfectly with the piano and drums. Brian’s approach to recording upright bass should be the golden standard for all upright players. He also handpicked the other members of this trio and they are excellent musicians who really deliver the goods.
If you would like more insight into this album, I can share that in my cover interview with Brian, coming soon.
The projected album release date is April 5, 2024, and will be available at www.brianbromberg.net
Bassist Gabriel Espinosa was inspired by the music he grew up with in Yucatan, Mexico, and now brings us a collection of ten tracks on Bossas and Boleros.
Six of these tunes on Bossas and Boleros are his original compositions. As you might expect from the title, some of these tunes fit in a kind of retro/romantic category whereas others are in a kind of soft Latin jazz vein. Interestingly, Gabriel also found inspiration in current events and translated them into musical interludes.
Gabriel assembled an excellent collection of musicians to bring this album to life and his bass playing is solid and precise but not flashy. His playing compliments the music in a noticeable way but is very balanced in the overall mix. The compositions are intricate and quite lovely with a generous helping of Latin tempos. I especially enjoyed his vocal rendition of “Aqui Estoy Yo” where he sings with just a piano. It is a rare treat to actually hear a bass player’s voice in a tune.
The great thing about this album is it’s universal appeal as it is not all about the bass. Everyone can relate to a collection of beautiful music and it’s excellent execution. This album is perfect to listen to while you enjoy a glass of wine with a loved one as you watch the sunset. Listening made me feel both relaxed and happy and that are feelings we all want to share.
Bossas and Boleros is available on Amazon.com
Album Review: Fernando Molinari, Reaching Inside…
Bassist Fernando Molinari assembled a team of excellent musicians (including Marco Minnemann on drums) to bring us eight tracks of original, hard-hitting, instrumental rock. Now, even though this music falls in the rock category, it has progressive elements as well as shades of fusion.
This album is high-energy providing a platform for these talented musicians to treat us to the full extent of their abilities. Fernando’s bass playing is flawless and precise and definitely drives each tune with frequent solo sections that give us a clear idea of his skill. Of course, with a tight group like this, the bar is set very high and everybody delivers perfectly.
This is a perfect album to listen to when you want to be pumped up. It would be a great workout set, road trip music, or a fitting background for an action movie. If you want to get your heart pumping, this is the album for you!
Available on Amazon.com
Brad Russell, Metal Improved…
We have been listening to Brad Russell play bass over the years, and it is quite clear that versatility is at the heart of his talent. Whether it is playing in the pit for a musical or on stage at the NAMM Show, Brad has serious chops. With Metal Improved, he is giving us a sample of what it sounds like when he applies a focused, overdriven, metal approach to a collection of tunes.
Brad has teamed up with hardcore drummers Gregg Bissonette, Jason Furman, and Aquiles Priester to produce seven tracks of high-intensity, calculatedly frenetic, musical wizardry. Three of the tracks are Brad’s original compositions and the others are very recognizable tunes by Billy Sheehan, Edward Van Halen, Chick Corea, and J. S. Bach.
This EP is badass… if Metal is your thing you will want to give it a listen.
Metal Improved available on Amazon.com
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