Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dan Schnelle: Shine Thru

Dan Schnelle: Shine Thru

By Dan Bilawsky
July 10, 2022
View read count

This debut album from one of the West Coast's go-to drummers delivers an empyrean escape while offering a clear look at the impressive inner workings of a beautiful mind in motion. Those who know

Dan Schnelle

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Schnelle as a sideman will recognize his master musicianship right off the bat as he lays the foundation for this absorbing music, but they'll probably also come to realize that there's far more to the man than his stick work. In crafting a program built on boundless imagination and a fearless approach to collaboration, Schnelle sets himself apart as a composer and a leader.

Joining forces with saxophonist

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney, keyboardist

Jeff Babko

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Babko, pianist

Josh Nelson

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Nelson, guitarist

Anthony Wilson

guitar
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Wilson and bassist

Alex Boneham

bass
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Boneham, Schnelle sets off to explore what lies beyond the horizon. The fiery opener, "Unknown Territory," rockets to the stars with confidence and curiosity. "Spaceman Spiff" puts Wilson in a pilot's seat and finds Babko conjuring extraterrestrial transmissions with his keys. The title track, set atop Schnelle's irresistible groove work, dances toward divine light and knowledge. "New Changes," with Morse code embedded in the heavenly aurora, binds commitment to freedom. And "Unknown Outro" proves unsettling and undeniably hip.

While there's a clear emphasis on texture, atmosphere and rhythm in all of these original works, melody plays a key part too. And it's Wilson, more than anybody, who draws attention to that aspect of the production. Whether he's doling out intriguing lead lines in moving toward a hand-off to Binney during "2nd Orbit," demonstrating the value of simplicity on "Thin Skinned" or offering grace in space on "The People's Republic," the guitarist proves to be a magnet for the ears and a vessel for Schnelle to shine through.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Unknown Territory; Spaceman Spiff; 2nd Orbit; Thin Skinned; Shine Thru; The People's Republic; Nosh Dukish; Vistas; New Changes; Unknown Outro.

Personnel

Dan Schnelle

drums

Jeff Babko

keyboards

Josh Nelson

piano

Alex Boneham

bass

Anthony Wilson

guitar

David Binney

saxophone, alto

Additional Instrumentation

Jeff Babko, piano (4,5), keyboards (1,2,8.10); Josh Nelson, piano (1,3,6,7,9,10).

Album information

Title: Shine Thru | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Outside in Music

PREVIOUS / NEXT

New music from Fusio Group, Kneebody...
< Previous

Doc Cheatham, Kenny Washington & Arr...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.