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Kenny Reichert: Switch

By Mark Corroto
June 23, 2024
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Chicago guitarist

Kenny Reichert

guitar
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Reichert works extremely hard to make his sound come across as casual on Switch. If you do not count the numerous discs with his partner Sara d'Ippolito Reichert, this is his third release as a leader. It follows Deep Breath (Shifting Paradigm Records, 2023) and returning from that previous outing are vocalist

Alyssa Allgood

vocals
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Alyssa Allgood and drummer

Devin Drobka

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Devin Drobka.

Anchored by the rock steady pulse of bassist

Ethan Philion

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Philion, the title track opens with Reichert and alto saxophonist

Lenard Simpson

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Lenard Simpson cascading lockstep notes which break into free and easy individual solos. Reichert's infectious melody glides into some reposeful brushwork by Drobka as the coda. The music throughout is masterly without being showy. Reichert's compositions and arrangements confirm this by sharing the spotlight. "Midnight Sun" wraps Reichert's guitar notes around Philion's bass before giving way to a solo by the bassist. There are plenty of time and style changes with "Pivot," and "Vanguard" is the lone burner on this session. Reichert's venture into a heated distorted guitar sound on the latter piece is balanced by the chilling alto attack of Simpson.

As they say in those late-night commercials, "but wait, there's more." Reichert is joined here by Calligram chief

Geof Bradfield

saxophone, tenor
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Geof Bradfield and vocalist Alyssa Allgood. Bradfield's tenor is heard on "Cherry" and "Farewell," and he switches to bass clarinet for "Shadows." The latter track also features Allgood's sung poetic lyrics. She sings beautifully and wordlessly on "Things Ain't What They Seem" and applies both wordless and spoken word with "Aquaintance." Each track here has an unforced feel that can only come about by talent and dedication to craft.

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Track Listing

Switch; Pivot; Things Aren't What They Seem; Acquaintance; Cherry; Vanguard; Shadows; The Midnight Sky; Farewell.

Personnel

Kenny Reichert

guitar

Lenard Simpson

saxophone, alto

Ethan Philion

bass

Devin Drobka

drums

Alyssa Allgood

vocals

Geof Bradfield

saxophone, tenor

Additional Instrumentation

Geof Bradfield: bass clarinet.

Album information

Title: Switch | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Calligram Records

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