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Donny McCaslin: Perpetual Motion

By Dan McClenaghan
January 21, 2011
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Saxophonist

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Donny McCaslin can be called, quite accurately, a fearless player, whether it's for his prodigious and always adventurous work as a sideman—very notably with trumpeter

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas' quintet and with

Maria Schneider

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Schneider's award-winning orchestra (for which he garnered a Grammy nomination), or on his own discs as a leader.

McCaslin's musical spirit is a searching one, exploring different facets of his artistry on the pared-down and often fiery trio outing, Recommended Tools (Greenleaf Records, 2008); going after the Latin flavorings on In Pursuit (Sunnyside Records, 2007); applying an expanded palette on Declaration (Sunnyside Records, 2010); and now charging headlong into modernity with Perpetual Motion.

This is McCaslin's funkiest recording, due, in part, to the addition of

Tim Lefebvre

bass
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Lefebvre's in-the-groove electric bass work in conjunction with the piano/Fender Rhodes sounds of

Adam Benjamin

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Benjamin on eight of the ten tracks, and

Uri Caine

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Uri Caine on the rest. Where most small groups going with the Fender Rhodes end up sounding like weak imitations of

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' second great quintet from the mid-sixties, McCaslin and company take things on a spacier and very original journey, thanks to the use of deftly added electronics, supplied by the set's producer, alto saxophonist and electro-whiz

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney.

The five-minute opener, "Five Hands Down," sizzles, though much of what McCaslin does sizzles. His sax broils away any thought of clich��s in front of Benjamin's chiming Fender Rhodes, and the rolling boil turbulence of Lefebvre and drummer and

Antonio Sanchez

drums
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Sanchez, who shares the drum chair with Mark Giuliana. It sets the tone for a high heat, high energy musical experience.

The twelve-minute title tune taken, back-to-back, with the eleven-minute "Claire" (for McCaslin's daughter) pushes things into the tour de force zone, with "Perpetual Motion" slipping into an extended trio interlude—trudging bass/drums anchoring a screaming saxophone, leading into a singing electric piano solo over a lighter rhythm—and "Claire" possessing the frenetic and joyful energy level of a headstrong toddler.

On the idea of energy, "Energy Generation" might be a fitting theme for the entire disc. The song blasts out of the speakers in trio mode, muscular bass and drums meshing with free-flying saxophone, before gelling into a sparkling groove with the addition of electric piano. It's definitely funky, with some of the eeriest and most overt electronics of the set.

The disc closes on a beautifully tender note, with Caine's a capella reading of McCaslin's "For Someone"; clearly about someone beloved.

Perpetual Motion turns a new page in Donny McCaslin's artistry. It's the same saxophone sound—full of intensity and free of the clich��s, but this time surrounded by a more electric, modern-leaning and often soulful group dynamic.

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Track Listing

Five Hands Down; Perpetual Motion; Claire; Firefly; Energy Generation; Memphis Redux; L.Z.C.M.; East Bay Grit; Impossible Machine; For Someone.

Personnel

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor

Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone; Adam Benjamin: Fender Rhodes; Uri Caine: piano; Tim LeFebvre: electric bass; Antonio Sanchez: drums.

Album information

Title: Perpetual Motion | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Greenleaf Music

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