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Dan Schnelle: Shine Thru

By Jerome Wilson
July 17, 2022
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Dan Schnelle

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Schnelle is a drummer on the Los Angeles music scene who has played in a lot of contexts. That is reflected in his first album which delves into different shades of jazz-rock with traces of exotica and electronic music in the margins.

"Unknown Territory" and "Spaceman Spiff" are angular pieces that spotlight the atmospheric keyboards of

Jeff Babko

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Babko and the electric guitar of

Anthony Wilson

guitar
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Wilson with the ethereal vibe of a vintage science-fiction soundtrack. "Shine Thru" has Wilson, Babko and alto player

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney surging together and alone serenely over Schnelle's complex drum patterns. On "Thin Skinned" Babko's plays repeated and spaced piano chords under Wilson's twanging guitar as Binney blows wistfully above them. The entire piece sounds like one of

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley's more placid compositions.

Some tracks on the album have something of a mechanical feel but others come off looser and more relaxed. "The People's Republic" floats along on a soothing tropical drift carried by Wilson, Schnelle and bassist

Alex Boneham

bass
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Boneham while "New Changes" features a mesmerizing blend of ghostly guitar, breathy sax and delicate piano. "Vistas" is largely two minutes of Wilson's clear, chiming guitar over martial drumming. "Nosh Dukish" is the edgiest track on the album, with a faster tempo and swaying rhythm and Binney exploding into a long, wriggling

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman-like tear as the other musicians respond with more forceful playing.

Josh Nelson

piano
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Nelson has a similar moment on "2nd Orbit," cutting through the tune's supple guitar and sax melody with a deliriously romantic solo as the bass and drums keep brisk time.

Parts of this album get overly intricate and busy but when it takes the time to breathe and relax, the players produce lyrical music with a slightly haunted and exotic air. Dan Schnelle shows a lot of promise in his composing and arranging on this worthwhile first album.

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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

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