Spirit Fall

Spirit Fall marks bassist/composer John Patituccis debut leader album for Edition Records. His sidemen are saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Brian Blade. The drummer and Patitucci were members of the Wayne Shorter Quartet, and the late saxophonist/composer was a tremendous influence on Potter. Nine of the sets ten tracks were composed by the bassist, and he includes a cover of Shorters "House of Jade." Spirit Fall is a deeply personal project for Patitucci, reflecting his commitment to music that has the power to uplift and often bridge societal and cultural divides. Patitucci desires connecting with family and friends naturally, but also, and especially, people on the margins. The album draws inspiration from the rich tradition of New York saxophone trio music, reflecting the influence of Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Joe Lovanos Trio Fascination. Opener "Think Fast" is a delightful meld of organic groove from the bassist and Blade as Potter moves through folk themes in a post-bop language. Its Patituccis inventive, swinging solo that steals the show. "Pole Star" commences as a midtempo modal finger-popper. Potter sets up as the rhythm section engage directly with one another. His sax solo follows and builds on harmony and dynamic before an understated bass solo syncopates the melody. The bassist introduces a blues walk titled "Deluge on 7th Ave," which languidly pursues a funky soul-jazz groove until Potter begins to break free, crossing post-bop, modal blues, and neo-bop as the rhythm section erects a ledge underneath. Patitucci uses his electric bass like a guitar on the title track, creating a droning modal jam that Blade takes apart with double- and triple-timed flourishes before reconstructing the groove as Potter solos on soprano, invoking the spirits of John Coltrane and Steve Lacy. "Lipím" is Cameroonian for "hope." Using an electric bass, Patitucci and Blade deliver lithe, syncopated funk while Potter offers a melody derived from township jazz; its complex yet nearly hummable. The reading of Shorters "House of Jade" manages to infuse it with a dynamic, noirish blues vibe inside modal hard bop. In the slightly more abstract "Light in the Darkness" the harmony channels a chamber group. While the bassist leads, Potter deciphers the mysterious melodic code, leading the other players toward improvisation without sacrificing the blues feel. Closer "Sonrisa" melds Caribbean and Afro-Latin rhythms in a joyous, carnivalesque melody that is also almost hummable. The musicians come off sounding like a crack band playing in the street. It contains killer solos from Potter, Patitucci, and amazing rhythmic invention from Blade, who pushes them ever further onto the cliff. While Spirit Fall is a diverse modern jazz recording, its roots lie deep in several musical traditions and international folk forms. Taken as a whole, the album reveals the sax/bass/drums trio has plenty of room for exploration and discovery, as its fine tunes provide a balm for the soul in deeply troubled times. ~ Thom Jurek