Little Bluedevil

NOERTKER’S MOXIE: Little Bluedevil
Edgetone, 2012

CHAMBER JAZZ – The second disc in local bassist Bill Noertker’s “Blue Rider” series, inspired by the art of abstract painters like Kandinsky, Marc, and Klee. As always with this group, the music inhabits a nebulous but compelling space somewhere between straight-up jazz, modern classical and free improvisation. It’s all really good.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12

1. 5:32 – slow, warped lines intersect and diverge, droning middle section
2. 6:15 – a friendly, jazzy stroll: solos weave gently on and off the path
3. 5:59 – very deliberate, hopscotch pattern; layered horns add a sloppy feel
4. 10:50 – dense midtempo, competing lines; falls into big empty improv space
5 / 6 / 7 – three very short chamber pieces with dignified wind harmonies
8. 2:06 – very slow, stretched-out movement, a bleak vista
9. 7:10 – quiet intro; a very gentle walking tune with lovely flute, piano, bass
10. 6:43 – a friendly harmonic riff oh-so gradually breaks apart, speeds up
11. 6:57 – lyrical melody gets passed around, slips into abstraction, fun drums
12. 6:46 – three flutes quickened by very quiet bass/drum patter
13. 6:51 – slow, curving piece with a melancholy air and a sinister undertone

[ Fo ] - 9 March 2013