You may not easily forget
Omri Ziegele
-- if only for his unusual name, although that is probably not enough to make him a star, and that is not what makes this recording. Neither are you likely to forget too quickly his four-part suite entitled
Billiger Bauer
and written and arranged by
Ziegele
and performed by a stellar Swiss nonet. Combining an eclectic combination of
big-band
thrusts,
avant-garde
dissonances, and conventional melodies,
presents a largely indefinable collection of in-and-out pieces that are surprisingly accessible, focusing on alternating musicians, tempo, and palette. Most of the players are not likely to be recognized, and those that are -- such as trombonist
Hans Anliker
-- will not disappoint.
's occasional lyrics, spoken in near-perfect English, are only moderately interesting, if only for their breadth. On the final
"Echoes of R.C.,"
written by prominent poet
Robert Creeley
, there is a strong circus-like atmosphere with fine drumming and arranging. This is the sort of medium-size ensemble that helps to reinvigorate a sagging
tradition with slightly off-beat writing and a diversity of styles. Sometimes the band may lose focus a bit, but it snaps back quickly. Tightly spaced harmonies keep the music from getting too abstract, while the substantial freedom permitted the players ensures that it almost always remains fresh. ~ Steven Loewy