Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Charlie Rhyner: The First Second

Charlie Rhyner: The First Second

By Dan Bilawsky
October 29, 2018
View read count

An artist's intentions are often cemented within the first second of a journey, but a vision can only be developed and measured in the music's passing time. For Westchester-based guitarist Charlie Rhyner, those initial aims often present with a penetrative purpose and a strong understanding of the leverage that a groove, be it solid or morphing, can hold over a given song's success. As his compositions develop, those first impressions prove true while a sense of warmth, a taste of risk and touch of jocularity further the picture.

Whether moving in step with his trio mates, taking the spotlight as a soloist, or sharing space with guest saxophonist

Imraan Khan

saxophone
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Imraan Khan, Rhyner proves to be in his element. From the curious and cool-headed "Jethiya" opener through to the flowing-turned-rocking "Black Daniels" sendoff, Rhyner revels in the art of the unexpected. And as that closer makes clear, he has the ability to both pacify and confound in a single frame.

Originals make up the bulk of this program, with the aforementioned tunes and four others making deep impressions. Rhyner's "Golden Cuffs" hints at a countrified quality while highlighting the ductile properties of his trio with bassist

Mike Roninson

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Roninson and drummer

Graciliano Zambonin

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Graciliano Zambonin; The blues-indebted "Pat's Prints" both honors and adapts a tried-and-true form, solidly and playfully swinging all the while; the all-too-brief "Boozy Dough" brings an acoustic purity and lovable lightness of being into direct contact with fractured elements; and "Handsome & Healthy" presents a series of explicit ideas grafted onto a steadily evolving arc.

Through those compositions, Rhyner manages to paint himself and his friends as a set with jazz grounding, slight experimentalist tendencies, and a rock-bolstered heart. The three covers that make the cut—a somewhat ominous take on

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' "Nardis," a bounding trip through

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "JuJu," and a largely straightforward stroll through Tom Petty's "Breakdown," with an appearance from Dan Schnapp on Fender Rhodes—just serve to confirm that fact. Rhyner's music has a real draw from the start, but it's only in seeing these songs through that the full weight of his work can be appreciated.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Jethiya; Golden Cuffs; Pat's Prints; Nardis; Boozy Dough; Juju; Breakdown; Handsome & Healthy; Black Daniels.

Personnel

Charlie Rhyner

Charlie Rhyner: guitar; Mike Roninson: bass; Graciliano Zambonin: drums; Imraan Khan: alto saxophone (1, 3, 9); Dan Schnapp: Fender Rhodes (7).

Album information

Title: The First Second | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

P��rez, Potter, Cohen Quintet at SFJ...
< Previous

That's Right!
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.