Year: 2024
Time: 49:19
File: MP3 @ 128K/s
Size: 45,2 MB
Art: Front
(3:45) 1. Determination
(3:17) 2. Train
(2:49) 3. The Agreed 2 Step
(3:23) 4. Partly Party
(2:29) 5. Rovelli
(5:50) 6. The Reminder
(3:06) 7. Just Go
(3:20) 8. Caution
(5:55) 9. The Rise
(3:32) 10. Tod You Once
(4:56) 11. Temperamental
(3:29) 12. Particulate Motion
(3:23) 13. The Underneath
Tenor saxophone and drums is now a familiar setting within the loose definitions of jazz and improvised music. If John Coltrane and Rashied Ali really made the format “a thing”, then there have been no shortage of musicians queuing up to dip their toes in the water.
With no harmony instrument or bass to hold down the bottom end, it can seem an unforgiving setting for both musician and audience, yet there is a remarkable variety of sounds, textures, rhythmic and melodic possibilities that lend themselves to this format.
These sessions that were recorded on a rather ad hoc basis on “occasional Thursdays” (I just love that as detailed information for the recording dates for the performances), yet the music just flows with the sheer joy of playing and making music together. Apart from that the music is a lot of fun, in the best possible way.
Both musicians are hugely experienced in a a wide range of musical styles. Bitelli came to prominence with the soul-jazz band Working Week and as a member of the anarchic and iconic British big band Loose Tubes. In addition, he has also been a member of Mike Westbrook’s band as well as leading his own groups.
His partner in crime is drummer Usiskin who CV is equally as impressive, including playing with guitarists Nigel Price and Jim Mullen. He has also recorded for SLAM in the past with bassist Max Oliver, presenting a recording of freely improvised duets on the album Usiskin/Oliver Duo.
Taking up the gauntlet of the tenor/drums format, the two musicians draw on their experience to present a series of thirteen improvised duets that focus on groove and melody, and thrive on the variety of music that they can conjure out of thin air.
On this outing Usiskin does not feel the need to make a lot of noise or clatter restlessly around the kit. He is simply brings a concentrated focus on rhythmic movement and patters that do not just lend themselves to melodic statements from the saxophonist but positively suggest them. There is nothing flashy about Usiskin’s playing, but he is constantly inventive varying the beat, subtle changes in dynamics and not afraid to take the lead when required.
By the same token, Bitelli must be overjoyed to have such a supportive partner. His lines are lean, concise and free to pick up melodies and his own rhythmic motifs knowing that his colleague with every step of the way. The saxophonist’s playing is a joy throughout, relishing the rock solid groove from Usiskin on ‘Determination’ for him to work from, and the delicate brushwork that accompanies his improvisation on ‘The Rise’, enabling him to move into more abstract areas before moving back into a lovely melodic improvisation that brings the piece to a close.
Bitelli is a natural storyteller, and the drummer a natural listener, throwing questions and observations into the mix in ‘Told You Once’, and when the tenorist does push the music further out on ‘Train’ exploring split tones and multiphonics that can be drawn out of his instrument, Ususkin is right there with just the right thing to say.
Sceptics may well view this recording as music that Bitelli and Usiskin played to please themselves, the resulting album though is one that I am sure will please many.
You can also check out our Take Five segment we have done with Bitelli and Usiskin.By Nick Lea https://jazzviews.net/david-bitelli-ollie-usiskin-harlesden-sessions/
Personnel: David Bitelli (tenor saxophone); Ollie Usiskin (drums)
With no harmony instrument or bass to hold down the bottom end, it can seem an unforgiving setting for both musician and audience, yet there is a remarkable variety of sounds, textures, rhythmic and melodic possibilities that lend themselves to this format.
These sessions that were recorded on a rather ad hoc basis on “occasional Thursdays” (I just love that as detailed information for the recording dates for the performances), yet the music just flows with the sheer joy of playing and making music together. Apart from that the music is a lot of fun, in the best possible way.
Both musicians are hugely experienced in a a wide range of musical styles. Bitelli came to prominence with the soul-jazz band Working Week and as a member of the anarchic and iconic British big band Loose Tubes. In addition, he has also been a member of Mike Westbrook’s band as well as leading his own groups.
His partner in crime is drummer Usiskin who CV is equally as impressive, including playing with guitarists Nigel Price and Jim Mullen. He has also recorded for SLAM in the past with bassist Max Oliver, presenting a recording of freely improvised duets on the album Usiskin/Oliver Duo.
Taking up the gauntlet of the tenor/drums format, the two musicians draw on their experience to present a series of thirteen improvised duets that focus on groove and melody, and thrive on the variety of music that they can conjure out of thin air.
On this outing Usiskin does not feel the need to make a lot of noise or clatter restlessly around the kit. He is simply brings a concentrated focus on rhythmic movement and patters that do not just lend themselves to melodic statements from the saxophonist but positively suggest them. There is nothing flashy about Usiskin’s playing, but he is constantly inventive varying the beat, subtle changes in dynamics and not afraid to take the lead when required.
By the same token, Bitelli must be overjoyed to have such a supportive partner. His lines are lean, concise and free to pick up melodies and his own rhythmic motifs knowing that his colleague with every step of the way. The saxophonist’s playing is a joy throughout, relishing the rock solid groove from Usiskin on ‘Determination’ for him to work from, and the delicate brushwork that accompanies his improvisation on ‘The Rise’, enabling him to move into more abstract areas before moving back into a lovely melodic improvisation that brings the piece to a close.
Bitelli is a natural storyteller, and the drummer a natural listener, throwing questions and observations into the mix in ‘Told You Once’, and when the tenorist does push the music further out on ‘Train’ exploring split tones and multiphonics that can be drawn out of his instrument, Ususkin is right there with just the right thing to say.
Sceptics may well view this recording as music that Bitelli and Usiskin played to please themselves, the resulting album though is one that I am sure will please many.
You can also check out our Take Five segment we have done with Bitelli and Usiskin.By Nick Lea https://jazzviews.net/david-bitelli-ollie-usiskin-harlesden-sessions/
Personnel: David Bitelli (tenor saxophone); Ollie Usiskin (drums)
Harlesden Sessions