Peter Epstein Quartet – Polarities (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

Peter Epstein Quartet – Polarities (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 01:05:43 minutes | 1,20 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Songlines

Epstein, a notable player on the New York scene in the ’90s, has kept a lower profile since moving to Nevada, where he now serves as director of the jazz studies program at University of Nevada, Reno. His playing, thankfully, hasn’t suffered one bit from the change of scenery. Polarities finds him in strong form, working with and against three of his longtime musical friends; this album may mark the first time that Epstein, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Sam Minaie, and drummer Mark Ferber were recorded as a single unit, but the saxophonist’s ties with each man run deep.

An intimate yet intense journey into abstract surrealism…
A cohesive synergy of harmonious swing. Quiet and unassuming quickly morphs into shifting meter and a freedom of expression that walks that fine line between hard bop and the more experimental. Imaginative yet wildly accessible has Peter Epstein’s Quartet and Polarities as one of the more engaging improvisational releases of the year.

Tbe somewhat melancholy vibe of “Old Yarn” develops an organic heartbeat of channeled fury while a methodical bass line is laid down by Sam Minaie. The nuanced finesse of drummer Mark Ferber ties together the more demonstrative performances of trumpet player Ralph Alessi and saxophonist Peter Epstein. Ideas flow while taking the harmonic road less traveled but these ideas still maintain a rather tangible lyrical sense of purpose. The mid-tempo “Email from Nigeria” is the epitome of the abstract groove with an odd Paul Motian feel going to a new global percussive land few have dared to visit. To attempt to pigeon hole either Pete Epstein or this dynamic ensemble is somewhat pointless. Polarities are individual lyrical thoughts that move simultaneously in either direction. The end result is rather stunning, a release to remember.

— Review by Brent Black / criticaljazz.com

Tracklist:

01. Peter Epstein Quartet – Polarity (03:36)
02. Peter Epstein Quartet – Tiny Expanding Universe (08:19)
03. Peter Epstein Quartet – Forever Now (08:40)
04. Peter Epstein Quartet – Old Yarn (09:38)
05. Peter Epstein Quartet – Email from Nigeria (08:16)
06. Peter Epstein Quartet – Aholdu (08:00)
07. Peter Epstein Quartet – Constance (07:16)
08. Peter Epstein Quartet – Hurtle (06:53)
09. Peter Epstein Quartet – Stillness (05:02)

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