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Mat Maneri Quartet: Dust

By Glenn Astarita
November 29, 2019
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The respective artists are firmly rooted in the modern vanguard of experimentation, improvisation and countless offshoots of the jazz vernacular. However, A-list bassist

John Hébert

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">John H��bert is also a veteran of many modern/progressive jazz sessions but, as evidenced here, is also comfortable exploring the outside realm. Hence, the musicians dish out a rather somber and stoic chamber-jazz program amid fragile underpinnings and a slowly-paced gait with asymmetrical pulses and blossoming mini-themes. In addition,

Mat Maneri

viola
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Mat Maneri's extended viola choruses assist with steering the band from one smooth transition to another, very much steeped in semi-structured methodology, with leanings toward the free zone.

Several passages spark notions of a divine contemplation gathering, where conversations become placid and emotive. Yet, on the piece inspired by the late, great drummer

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian, simply titled "Motian," the quartet captures the essence of the drummer's rhythmic musicality, where drummer

Randy Peterson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Peterson's pecking drum hits atop

Lucian Ban

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Lucian Ban's circular piano phrasings and H��bert's bowed bass patterns, evolve and diffuse the primary trajectory. The bassist's deep lines, with Peterson's subdued toms and cymbals treatments, signal a state of bliss, intersected by Maneri's streaming notes as the band works through temperate passages. Moreover, they raise the pitch in spots via Ban's concise chord progressions to consummate a relatively ominous vibe.

Various discourses pose a solemn and reflective mindset. Consequently, there are no pieces that aim to knock your socks off, largely from an impact perspective. Yet the music demands some degree of concentration from a listener. Indeed, the improv element is a perpetual force along with the respective musicians' occasional injections of wry or off-kilter accents, although the tonal uniformity on a per-track basis may not be everyone's taste or preference.

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Track Listing

Mojave; 51 Sorrows; Red Seven; Motian; Two Hymns; Losed; Last Steps; Retina; Dust.

Personnel

Mat Maneri

viola

Lucian Ban

piano

John H��bert

bass

Randy Peterson

drums

Album information

Title: Dust | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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