Brian Haas & Matt Chamberlain – Frames (The Royal Potato Family 2013)
So it is a surprise to discover that Frames is tuneful and fun,
fun, fun. Haas' themes (to call them "exercises" unfairly reduces them)
take in lush romanticism, stride piano and minimalism, and the hotter
ones are played with gusto. As Haas acknowledges, much of the music's
success as a performance piece is down to Chamberlain's input.
Chamberlain turned "turned skeletons into sentient beings," says Haas,
"(giving) each piece its own personality and color." Together, the duo
work through the eleven, often forceful pieces in perfect accord.
Chamberlain does not match Haas note for note throughout, but there are
many passages of up-tempo unison fireworks and they are as thrilling to
listen to as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie delivering a tricky bop
theme in precise unison. At lower temperatures the mood is
bittersweet-romantic and may put you in mind of singer-songwriter Jeff
Buckley/ CHRIS MAY, allaboutjazz
Track Listing: Birth; Open Windows; Death: An Introduction; Prism; Of
Many, One; Niche; Drive; Death: An Observation; Closing Window; An
Empty House; From Nothing, Infinite.
Personnel: Brian Haas: piano; Matt Chamberlain: drums, percussion.
Additional musicians: Peter Tomshany: guitar; Costa Stasinopoulos:
synths, programming; Chris Combs: synths.
