Personnel:
Pete Rende (p, wurlitzer), Matt Pavolka (b), Marlon Browden (d)
Reference: FSNT-115
Bar code: 8427328421157
Marlon's group combines different musical worlds in a trio setting. Flowing from simple grooves and melodies to loose deep group interaction, this trio brings a definite freshness to instrumental music
"Marlon Browden, one of a growing number of young drummer/leaders, has done fiery, limber playing behind Greg Osby, Reid Anderson, and many others. His debut is sparse and elegant, grooving, downright nasty at times. The format is trio, plain and simple: Pete Rende plays piano and Wurlitzer while Matt Pavolka locks in on double bass. In addition to Browden's four varied original compositions, the disc contains three striking covers. Avi Leibovich's "It Won't Pay the Way" is a bright waltz tucked away within an open blowing section in 5/4. Björk's highly unorthodox "Anchor Song," the final track from her Debut album, gets a brief yet revelatory treatment in fact, the most striking jazz homage she's received to date. And Rende switches to Wurlitzer for an offbeat mini-medley: Guillermo Klein's "Snake" into "Guinnevere," a Crosby, Stills & Nash song that Miles Davis adapted (and ultimately discarded) for the Bitches Brew sessions. (Here, the CD credits wrongly list Davis as the composer.) Browden's tunes the stately, contemplative "Piano Song," the slow but jubilant "Daydream," the minor-modal "Cookie," the folky, melodic "Careless Lover" are the work of someone devoted to jazz but thoroughly influenced by a rock, funk, and even singer/songwriter aesthetic. Highly recommended."
David R. Adler (All Music Guide)
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"C'est un disque de batteur qui ressemble à un disque de pianiste. Mais à vrai dire, dans ce trio de jeunes pousses new-yorkaises (Marlon Browden à la batterie, Pete Rende au piano et Wurlitzer, Matt Pavolka à la basse), personne ne tire la couverture à soi et c'est tant mieux. Une belle et simple évidence mélodique le traverse de part en part, dû en partie au jeu du pianiste. On aimerait que le jazz soit encore ainsi, à se réinventer en humant l'air frais du temps - ici "Anchor Song" de Björk. Marlon Browden fait partie d'une génération de musiciens marquée par la pop (il joue d'ailleurs derrière de nombreux singer/songwriters) et sa sensibilité l'entraîne autant du côté de Nick Drake que de Miles Davis dont il reprend ici l'électrique "Guinivere". C'est l'Espagnol Jordi Pujol, par ailleurs responsable de l'excellent catalogue de musiques latines Tumbao, qui nous le fait découvrir. Il a eu raison: cet album ne dépareillera pas aux côtés d'un "Songs" de Brad Mehldau, cousin évident."
By Pierre-Jean Crittin - VIBRATIONS MAGAZINE, April, 2002.
