Sixteen: Drummers Suite

EXPERIMENTAL JAZZ

Following Weiss’s 2014 release, “Fourteen,” this one likewise is named for the size of the big ensemble (now 16 players, up from 14) including keys, guitar, horns, harp, and 3 female voices. There’s a concept to this work: each composition is based upon the work of a famous jazz drummer (see liner notes for the details). Wordless vocals.

No FCC issues.

1 Drum solo intro. Flows right into #2. (0:56)
2 Slow. Bass & cymbals open softly; piano & flute join for a bit; there’s a drum solo; then it’s complex with horns, vocals, clapping, etc. Gets sorta Star Trek at the end. (3:59)
3 * Mid-tempo. Electronics, choral singing, intermittent drums, much weirdness. More interesting than the last. (5:04)
4 * Mid-fast. Acoustic bass solo starts, joined by piano. Vocals & dissonant horns get wild. There’s a little electric guitar lick. A pretty piano solo has the final full minute. (7:11)
5 * Slow. Tabla solo. Horns, electronics & vocals. Like an eerie movie soundtrack. (9:22)
6 Mid-slow. Features the female voices, synth, trombone, flute, harp, and piano. (7:21)
7 ** Mid-slow. Tenor sax starts. Over 15 min, we get treated to some of everything. If you can deal with the length, this is the most compelling & satisfying piece. (15:17)