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Traeben: Push

By Chris May
July 2, 2012
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With a Danish frontline and Dutch rhythm section, Den Haag-based Tr?ben draws much of its inspiration from the chamber jazz which came out of Los Angeles and San Francisco in the late 1950s and 1960s. Hummable melodies, cool swing, mellifluous improvisation. The whisper rises to a conversational murmer but rarely raises its voice. This is sunny, summer afternoon music.

Push is the group's second album, following 2009's Nordic Project (Jarr). With the exception of a new drummer,

Haye Jellema

" data-original-title="" title="">Haye Jellema, who joined in 2011, the lineup is unchanged: guitarist

Jens Larsen

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Jens Larsen, tenor saxophonist

Søren Ballegaard

" data-original-title="" title="">S?ren Ballegaard and bassist

Olaf Meijer

" data-original-title="" title="">Olaf Meijer.

Larsen is the chief composer, writing nine of the tunes to Ballegaard's one. He is also an amiable improviser, in a lineage which stretches from

Barney Kessel

guitar, electric
1923 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Barney Kessel to

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny (without the synths and effects), with barely a nod to

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery. His pure, round tone and fluid single note runs have an airy vibe which is matched by Ballegaard's translucent tenor. Together, the duo suggest reed player

Jimmy Giuffre

clarinet
1921 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Giuffre's pairing with guitarist

Jim Hall

guitar
1930 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Hall at the end of the 1950s, and the quartet's arrangements employ similar devices as Giuffre's: classical and folk-inspired extended forms with room for a cappella interludes, and vamps that create a moderate intensity, occasionally building to urgency.

Tr?ben has yet to touch the ineffable heights of the Giuffre/Hall group, but Push is enjoyable enough listening. There is a certain sameness, however, which ultimately works against the album. It is for the group to decide on its direction, but it could usefully consider embracing the textural manipulations and layering possibilities modern technology offers.

However it goes about it, to reach the next level the group needs to stamp a more singular character on the music, or at least its presentation.

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Track Listing

Top Dog; Try to Remember; God Makes Backups; Can You?; Catatraffic; All It Needs; We��ll Let You Know; Simple Things; Nothing Or Nothing At All; Mi Hijo.

Personnel

Traeben

band / ensemble / orchestra

Jens Larsen: guitar; S?ren Ballegaard: tenor saxophone; Olaf Meijer: bass; Haye Jellema: drums.

Album information

Title: Push | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Jarr Records

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