John Patitucci - Line By Line
Despite the fact that jazz and classical genres seem divergent, one would be surprised how well they converge on bassist John Patitucci’s latest, “Line By Line”. Melding some of the expressionistic tendencies of 20th-Century classical music with contemporary jazz, Patitucci’s “Agitato” is a stand-out track. The rhythm has a jazz lilt to it, but the small, yet angular, leaps the melody takes lets the listener know that this isn’t your average swing. “Theme and Variations for 6-String Bass and Strings” finds Patitucci accompanied by string quintet (two violins, viola, cello, string bass). The result is a direct classical-meets-jazz hybrid: Patitucci’s phrasing is strictly jazz while the chugging quintet beneath his bass keeps a straight-up-and-down rhythm. One track that is strictly jazz is Patitucci’s take on the Thelonious Monk favorite, “Evidence”. Joining Patitucci are Adam Rogers on electric guitar and Brian Blade on drums. While other tracks on the album are more contemplative, “Evidence” is straight-up fun with plenty of syncopated beats provided by Blade and a head-nodding-worthy guitar solo from Rogers.
5 out of 5 ears
RIYL: Subtler, jazzier Schoenberg. Just listen to it.
- Devin Ouye Yamanaka