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Marc Mommaas: Landmarc

By Dan McClenaghan
March 17, 2010
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In an era of single tune downloads and shortened attention spans, works like Marc Mommaas' Landmarc could be on their way out, facing marketplace extinction. The Dutch-born, New York-based saxophonist has created a nine-song set with a continuity of concept and mood at a time when it's all too common for artists to mix lineups, moods and genres on their CDs, to display their versatility and/or appeal to the download customer.

Mommaas is capable of fire, rage and raw emotion. His work in pianist/composer

Amina Figarova

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Amina Figarova's band during her 2009 American Tour added a healthy dose of ferocity and edgy freedom to the the leader's elegance and erudition. But on Landmarc he goes with a more reflective approach—exploring, with spare instrumentation, a cerebral yet always engaging approach to music.

Space is important. On four of the nine tracks it's just Mommaas' labyrinthine tenor sax stories accompanied by

Nate Radley

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Radley's guitar and

Tony Moreno

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Moreno's subtly orchestral drum work. Guitarist

Vic Juris

guitar
1953 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Vic Juris sits in with the trio on three tunes, while six-stringer

Rez Abbasi

guitar, acoustic
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Rez Abbasi plays on two more, including sitar on "Cassavetes Caravan."

This set of Mommaas originals breathes. The opening title tune is one of the set's more insistent, full-of-momentum tunes with Mommaas and Radley pushing each other forward. "Folk Song" is a relaxed piece of pastoral reverie, while Mommaas displays the influence of

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson on "Orbit," delivering a long, eloquent and gorgeously convoluted narrative with his smooth, cool tone.

Like the rest of the set, "Cassavettes Caravan" holds a sense of timelessness, beginning with an unhurried inward musing that shifts into a prickly relentlessness, the saxophone and sitar locked in an exotic dance.

The closer, "ASAP," sounds impatient, with Mommaas blowing hurried notes in, out and around Radley's shimmering chords, while Moreno splashes pastel bursts behind them.

Landmarc is an inspired mix of tenor sax, electric strings and percussion sounds. A beginning-to-end cohesive set that should give a profile boost to a deserving artist.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Landmarc; Folksong; Brush on Canvas; Legend; Little One; Orbit; Patience; Cassavetes Caravan; ASAP.

Personnel

Marc Mommaas

saxophone, tenor

Mark Mommaas: tenor saxophone; Nate Radley: guitar; Tony Moreno: drums; Vic Juris: guitar (2, 6, 9); Rez Abbasi: guitar (4), sitar (8).

Album information

Title: Landmarc | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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