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Brian Patneaude: All Around Us

By Jeff Dayton-Johnson
April 10, 2012
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On All Around Us, Albany, New York saxophonist Brian Patneaude's solid quartet delivers a high energy, straight-ahead jazz date.

As a saxophonist, Patneaude solos transparently and has a bright sound, set off by a hard-edged technical competence that will remind some of

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker, as on the complicated line of "Blucocele." On Bronis?aw Kaper's "Invitation," Patneaude is admirably unfazed by the celebrated 1958

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane reading of the tune on Standard Coltrane (Prestige, 1962). Patneaude the composer provides compelling settings for the quartet. His harmonic progressions suggest a moving forward, a seeking (not unlike some Coltrane compositions). He favors swirling bop-derived themes and a variety in time signatures, all of which keeps things interesting.

The pace on All Around Us largely varies between mid-tempo and just-this-side-of frenetic, a function of the slightly unsettled compositions and drummer Danny Whelchel's alert, ahead-of-the-beat style. The manic main theme of "Double Trio" is a well-executed example of the hard-driving aspect of the set, as are "Aimless Antithesis" and "Blucocele" whereas "Orb" marks the more contemplative end of the spectrum here.

Keyboardist

David Caldwell-Mason

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">David Caldwell-Mason merits most valuable player honors among the musicians assembled by Patneaude: he is a tireless font of ideas and creativity, thoughtful but not discursive in his solos (each of which is excellent) and ably supportive in the ensemble passages and underneath Patneaude's solos. He has a firm handle on both dimensions of the

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock school of jazz piano: the blues heritage transmitted via

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell and Hancock's sensitive impressionism.

On the two covers, Invitation" and

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's redoubtable "Juju," Caldwell-Mason switches to Fender Rhodes with marvelous effect. On "Juju" in particular, the electric keyboard lends to the proceedings a stylish sound reminiscent of

Uri Caine

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Uri Caine's role in trumpeter

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas' ensembles. Bassist

Mike DelPrete

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike DelPrete is versatile and steps forward for a good solo on "Too Vast For Malice." Drummer Whelchel, meanwhile, solos nicely (though perhaps a little too low in the mix) over the vamp in "Double Trio."

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Track Listing

Lake Timeless; Too Vast for Malice; Orb; Double Trio; Juju; Aimless Antithesis; Invitation; Blucocele.

Personnel

Brian Patneaude

saxophone

Brian Patneaude: tenor saxophone;David Caldwell-Mason: piano, Fender Rhodes; Mike DelPrete: bass; Danny Whelchel: drums.

Album information

Title: All Around Us | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: WEPA Records

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