Personnel:
Javier Vercher (ts), Ferenc Nemeth (d, perc), Lionel Loueke (g), Chip Taylor (reader)
Reference: FSNT-286
Bar code: 8427328422864
This is the first duet album released by drummer Ferenc Nmeth and Valancian saxophonist Javier Vercher. They both share a musical vision which abounds in wide open possibilities of spontaneous improvisation with beautifull melodies and songs.
Vercher is a young, prodigiously gifted saxophonist with powerful free playing that amazingly flows in this recording. Nemeth, a player of consummate subtlety and tasted, is a product of the jazz hotbed of Keszthely, Hungary.
Benin born guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke is an artist who has only emerged in the past few years, recording and touting with master Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.
Chip Taylor, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, is a man whose determination and dedication have permeatd all facets of his life. Author of Wild thing, Try a Little bit harder and Angel in the morning, to name just a few of his songs, he brings to life a very special mystic who is now one of the most widely read poets in America.
"Lo que sorprende es su tono tan jazzistico. Javier Vercher ha elaborado un discurso pausado y esquivo, minimalista, casi. Habla desde el interior de la música; toca suave y con sustancia...Vercher pertenece a la rara especie de músicos que, además de tocar, saben escuchar. Es un improvisador de ley, un virtuoso."
-J.M. Garcia (El Pais)
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"La propuesta de Javier Vercher se caracteriza por hipnóticas composiciones, tensión musical permanente y un dialogo colectivo de energías est;eticas. Improvisando con sentido y emoción. Posee una actitud jazzistica, que nos sitúa ante una independencia y personalidad incontestables."
-Pablo Sanz (El Mundo)
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"On Wheel of Time, saxophonist Javier Vercher (Spain) and drummer Ferenc Nemeth (Hungary) produce music that teems with creativity as musicians, instruments, and free ideas coalesce. The debut, Introducing The Javier Vercher Trio (Fresh Sound, 2005), aptly acquainted listeners to the young and prodigious sax player; whereas Nemeth has contributed his deft drumming to a number of recordings including guitarist Lionel Louekes Virgin Forest (ObliqSound, 2006).
The two are a part of a growing number of young musicians that embrace their heritages but are creating new traditions of global influences into music that is their own. They also enlist the help of longtime associate guitarist Lionel Loueke (Senegal) who has made an impact in the U.S. and abroad on many recordings. These varied origins and talents all have an impact.
The vibe is somewhat reminiscent of Charles Lloyd/Billy Higgins transcendent recording Which Way Is East (ECM, 2004), as two musicians connect in a freely expressive way to create more than just a typical recording. The setting is simple: saxophone, drums/percussion, and occasional guitar; but the results are profound and from the start it's clear that this is something different.
Introduction has an aboriginal/Native American quality combining exotic percussion and tarouj (traditional bamboo flute). Next is Second Chance, an up-tempo number featuring Louekes unique playing style as Verchers muscular tenor works the melody while Nemeth animatedly engages his kit. The duo selections are well conceived and show the full scope of each musicians potential on Andys Song, as Vercher spirited lines soothe while Nemeth feverishly plays hand and traditional drums. Thunderous mallets and showering cymbals are completely balanced with Verchers thoughtful and throaty sounds on Tabarka, a tune that has a timeless quality.
The music sounds as if it was recorded in different parts of the world. Broken Shadows has a Latin/Gypsy quality and Als - Berebers del Sud a haunting Middle Eastern rhythm where the instruments voices dance and sing to authentic and gripping rhythms. The title Wheel Of Time is the showpiece and seems to breathe. Its circuitous pattern lingers with an almost spiritual qualityNemeth drumming is the heartbeat, girded by a Louekes repeated chords, while Verchers tenor soars then descends to a mere whisper.
The recording ends appropriately with Where Everything is Music with sampled sounds of running water, flute, percussion, acoustic guitar, and a prose reading by poet Chip Taylor. This recording is cerebral, peculiar yet grounded, and would take the listener on a most pleasant journey."
-Mark F. Turner (All About Jazz)
