Few saxophonists are capable of conjuring as many mutant sounds from their instrument as Sam Gendel. Since his 2017 debut, the LA-based instrumentalist has veered from downtempo melodics on 2018’s breakthrough Music for Saxofone and Bass Guitar to woozy, electronically processed versions of jazz standards on 2020’s Satin Doll and deconstructed R&B classics on 2023’s Cookup. Usually producing at least two albums a year, Gendel’s restless creativity challenges what breath can do through woodwind and Midi synthesis.
In this particular situation, Gendel’s most recent endeavor is a change from his usual style. With just a soprano saxophone and Brazilian musician Fabiano do Nascimento’s seven-string guitar, The Room is Gendel’s most purely acoustic album, and one of his most emotional.
With his soprano, Gendel beautifully complements Nascimento’s strong finger-picking harmonics throughout the 10 tracks of the album. The first song, Foi Boto, features a bossa-influenced guitar rhythm and Gendel uses his saxophone to create a flute-like sound, weaving fluid melodies over the strings. The following songs, Capricho and the standout track Astral Flowers, pick up the tempo and allow Gendel to showcase his powerful playing while maintaining his gentle tone, creating long, mournful lines over Nascimento’s percussion.
While The Room may seem gentle, it is not suitable as background music. Songs like Kewere and Poeira are intricately composed, showcasing Nascimento’s intricate cyclical rhythms and Gendel’s warm and breathy punctuations. This combination creates a powerful contrast, demonstrating that sometimes stillness can have a significant impact.
Instead of replicating traditional Latin jazz from Stan Getz and João Gilberto’s 1964 album “Getz/Gilberto,” Gendel and Nascimento use minimalism to create their own intimate record with “The Room.” Despite its compact size, the album has a spacious feel and showcases the musicians’ command of their instruments. It is a modern classic that celebrates acoustics.
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Additionally released this month:
The Hakuna Kulala label in Uganda has released a new album showcasing the vibrant electronic music scene in the country. MC Ratigan Era’s Era features a mix of dancehall and synths, adding a bold twist to the traditional Jamaican sound with Era’s deep voice. Les Amazones d’Afrique, a pan-African group, have also returned with their third album, Musow Danse. The record features intense 808 basslines and electronic drums that complement the group’s powerful vocals, making it their most provocative release to date. Singer and bassist Ëda Diaz’s debut album, Suave Bruta, combines Latin rhythms and electronic elements to create a unique sound. Diaz’s soft jazz vocals provide a beautiful contrast to her raw production style, with standout tracks like the high-energy Tiemblas.
Source: theguardian.com
