Home » Jazz News » Recording

"Elemental" Is Anything But Elementary

Source: Karen Frieske
December 10, 2018
View read count

Low-end powerhouse and former Yellowjacket backbone,

Jimmy Haslip

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Haslip collaborates with pianist, composer, arranger, and educator

Otmaro Ruiz

keyboards
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Otmaro Ruiz and virtuosic rhythm guru

Jimmy Branly

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Branly for a project that is a perfect mix of composition and broad audience appeal. Mastered by Grammy nominee Rich Breen (

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones,

Peter Erskine

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Erskine,

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden and more), “elemental" is a current jazz classic bringing elements of old and new to keep fans on their toes.

Grammy nominee

" data-original-title="" title="">Otmaro Ruiz (2016), the composer of most of the elemental tracks, holds an honorary doctorate from Shepherd University and has played with all the modern greats...Gino Vannelli,

John McLaughlin

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">John McLaughlin,

Tito Puente

drums
1923 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Tito Puente,

Steve Winwood

keyboards
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Winwood,

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci,

Vinnie Colaiuta

drums
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Vinnie Colaiuta just to name a few. Mr. Ru��z is regarded as one of the most sought- after keyboardists on the scene yet still finds time for teaching. He is a frequent guest clinician at Los Angeles Music Academy and Musician's Institute.

Jimmy Branly

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Branly is from Cuba and began his studies at the Conservatory of Music in Havana Adolfo Guzman and ENA (National School of Art). Mr. Branly also has played with greats from all genres including Colin Hay,

Abraham Laboriel

bass, electric
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Abraham Laboriel, Michael Nezmith, John Patitucci, Doc Severinsen, Ricky Martin, Andy Garcia, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan. He performed at The White House in 2013 a Latin presentation for President Obama.

Jimmy Haslip

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Haslip was a founding member and 32-year band mate of The Yellowjackets. Mr. Haslip has been nominated for 22 Grammy awards and has won 3. Over his 50+ years of playing, he has contributed to the biggest names in music over a plethora of genres (

Jeff Lorber

keyboards
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lorber,

David Sanborn

saxophone
1945 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">David Sanborn, Jerry Garcia, Bruce Hornsby, Chaka Khan,

Allan Holdsworth

guitar, electric
1948 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Allan Holdsworth,

Oz Noy

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Oz Noy to name a few).

Elemental opens with “A Good Start" and right out of the gate leaves listeners slack-jawed. The high energy mover leads with dramatic injections from both Mr. Branly and Mr. Ru��z. These lyrical jabs give way to a simple, soaring melody on keyboards that establishes the emotional trajectory for the rest of the song. The trio brings the audience up then down then back up again all the while compelling exquisite anticipation. The troupe rewards in the end with a crescendo of harmonic punches as “A Good Start" gives way to “Greed".

“Greed" leads with a coy, sly keyboard melody that is enticing. Mr. Branly and Mr. Haslip jump in quickly in a way that are both supportive and improvisational. The listener is left with a slightly uneasy feeling as the rhythm's presence rolls up and down and moves from support to spontaneous until Mr. Haslip steps out with a subdued but perfect solo. Mr. Branly rounds things out and brings it in as Mr. Ru��z's keyboards sail home.

Elemental is a fusion of the most talented jazz artists of our time. More than that, though, the resulting sound is clearly greater than the sum of it's parts. When asked to comment on the compilation, Otmaro Ru��z thought carefully and stated simply, “Music for All". Indeed...music for all.

Visit Website | Purchase