Customer Reviews

Things to Come

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overview:

In recent years we have been able to enjoy the chemistry between guitarist Rez Abassi and sax player Rudresh Mahanthappa in albums such as Abassi's Bazaar, and Mahanthappa's Kinsmen. For an even longer time we've been able to enjoy the dynamic combo of pianist Vijay Iyer and Mahanthappa. On this album for the first time, we hear all three South Asian all stars together and the results are dazzling. Abassi, Mahnthappa, and Iyer are joined by a stellar rhythm section made up by Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Dan Weiss on drums. Special guest Kiran Ahluwalia adds her beautiful Indian vocals to tracks 1,2,4, and 6, and Mike Block adds Cello to tracks 2 and 7. While there are tinges of Indian and Pakastani music throughout this album, Things to Come is first and foremost a modern jazz album in the post bop style. Abassi has obviously put a lot of thought and time into crafting clever songs with many tightly interwoven parts. The mood of the album tends to be dreamlike, reflective and cerebral. It's easy to let you mind wander as the songs drift from one clever part to another. Abassi, Iyer and Mahanthappa are all great soloist with very different styles and textures. There are great solos throughout and it is fascinating to go from the blasting ferocity of Mahanthappa's blistering sax solos, to the richly layered thought provoking explorations of Iyer, to the snaking, trance inducing, meanderings of Abassi. Every song is good on this CD and is a joy to listen to from start to finish.

Song Highlights:

Air Traffic - This song features dreamy textures that will have you floating through the clouds. Weiss lays down a soft pulsing rhythm on the cymbals, and Alluwalia adds some well placed lyricless vocals. This song has many little parts and great solos abound. It is perfect example of everything that shines in this album.

Hard Colors - This song opens with some monkish piano chords... not so monkish in note composition, but in rhythm in which the chords are played. Alluwalia lets loose with a great burst of Indian chant/scatting vocals. It is somewhat reminiscent of the vocal performance on William Parker's Double Sunrise over Neptune. Iyer also adds a grandeous surreal piano solo.

Insulin - This track opens with a walking bass line. It features a great bass solo by Weidenmueller. It also features a terrific simultaneously solo explosion by Abassi and Mahanthappa.

Hopefully things to come refers to many more collaborations between this great great of musicians. One of the top jazz CDs of 2009.

Rez Abassi has played a lot of music with Vijay Iyer and Rudresh Mahanthappa in various groups over the years. "Things To Come" has Iyer on piano, Mahanthappa on alto sax, Johannes Weidenmueller on bass, and Dan Weiss (often the fourth member of the Abassi/Iyer/Mahanthappa club) on drums. On a few songs, Kiran Ahluwalia sings, and Mike Block plays cello. The music has lots of intricate written-out passages, and melds South Asian song forms and progressive rock with jazz. Each song is pretty good, though none hook into brain enough to put this CD into a higher level.

I spent two days with Rez at a jazz guitar workshop in NYC late last August. Since then I have seen him perform at Smalls Jazz Club, purchased this CD and practiced his and other teachings. This is a very enjoyable and progressive CD that I listen to along with many, many other jazz recordings. It has an eastern sound that may be of additional interest to people crossing over from Indian music, which is very popular amongst the yoga crowd. Way to go!

Rez Abbasi's Things to Come is one of the finest, most satisfying jazz CD's I've heard in years. Fiercely original and tantalizing in its writing, cohesive and confident in concept, the music merges fiery intensity, grace, power and fancy, at times is hauntingly beautiful and has breath and integrity. Abbasi's amazing solos glide and spiral through multi- textured musical landscapes and the musicianship of all group members is superb, each voice unique, intensely individual and deeply attuned to the energy and sensibility of the moment. I find myself captivated much as if I were listening to Prokofiev or Bartok. Can't ask for more.

The latest cd by Rez Abbasi showcases both his technical skill and depth of emotion. *Thing To Come* weaves a haunting, melancholy spell. A brilliant musician himself, Rez also surrounds himself with artists like Kiran Ahluwalia who enrich the magic.

Rez Abassi's latest CD, "Thing to Come", is full of beautiful, exciting, and shimmering sounds; the seamless weaving of various musical influences and the wonderful interplay between the musicians creates a rich tapestry of timeless music. Rez's guitar playing is superb; he is a master of the instrument and uses this mastery to express his unique and personal "voice" on the guitar. In addition, his duet with vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia is simply breathtaking. I am going to hear this group perform at Small's jazz club in New York City tomorrow night and can hardly wait to hear this magical music live as well!

Things to come is an amazing CD , composed by Rez Abbasi, intergerating other highly talented musicians. Rez's guitar playing is mismerizing, intricate and soul searching. kudos to Rez for creating so many excellent CDs, showing his verstility and passion for unique .