Erik Friedlander

Building a creative music session around the cello as the lead instrument doesn’t lead to sameness despite those expected timbres which arise from this Europeanized instrument. Although not as radical as some string sessions, both discs here are part of the contemporary Jazz locus, though A Queens’ Firefly’s eight selections approximate the music’s standards and songbook traditions while Chronotope’s nine tracks are directed towards Middle Eastern sounds,

Much better known of the musicians, New York cellist Erik Friedlander’s quartet includes pianist Uri Caine, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Ches Smith, all, of who have extensive experience with a multitude of groups with everyone from John Zorn to Tim Berne. A trio augmented with an extra percussionist on most tracks, the band on the other disc is Toronto based. Percussionists Max Senitt and Gilbert Mansour, drummer Matias Recharte and bassist Jonathan Chapman work around town, while cellist George Crotty, who composed all the material has worked with the Brooklyn Raga Massive and Detroit’s National Arab Orchestra.

Despite this background, the Crotty trio’s program has as much to do with Jazz-fusion as sub-continental or Middle Eastern sounds. There may be an Arabic lilt in some of the interactions or even the suggestion of tabla-like rhythms on others, but in those cases the default moves to more Westernized playing. There are even points at which Crotty sounds as if he’s channeling violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, as his string set negotiates swiftly among strummed double bass pop and shifting accents from the percussionists. On tracks like the title tune or “Baião” any Arab flavor in the first is countered by Chapman’s quasi-funk groove and Crotty’s slurred chording, which has more in common with lead guitar than oud expression. Despite double-stopping harsh string echoes on “Baião”, the percussion echoes and shifting pulse bring in Latin music concepts. As the lead instruments move up and down the scale and from lightness to intensity, the resulting harmonies project power, while including a lyrical overlay. This is most noticeable on “Snowglobe”, where guitar-swift plinks from ther bassist meet up with the cellist’s linear strokes, suggesting a forward moving conversation with no need for translation.

This lyricism is also prominent on the other disc, all of which’s compositions are by Friedlander, and include an overlay of mainstream tunes. Most attuned to single line sweeps from the cellist, Helias’ part of the performances chiefly creates a fluid pulse, Smith accents the performances without ever being overbearing, and Caine excels at sympathetic comping with focused repeated patterns and occasional squirms to break up the time. Although “Glimmer”, the most extended track, featured a moderated groove with some pressurized piano tones, light swing and an emphasised backbeat keep it within the CD’s parameters. As much foot tapping as fluid, most of the tunes are one of a piece with some like “Aurora” a stand out as blended bass and cello hues take on a vibrating dark hue, the drums shake and splatter and the piano part swings. Only a single string screech at the end suggests something darker could have developed. Besides that, whether the strings are played arco or pizzicato with strums or spiccato; and whether keyboard notes are splayed or sympathetic; a well-balanced and cheerful mood suffuses the program.

Both discs are fine representations of what these cello-led bands can do. More toughness and darkness may have made them more outstanding though.

—Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Firefly: 1. A Queens’ Firefly 2. Match Strikes 3. Chandelier 4. Glimmer 5. Little Daily Miracles 6. Aurora 7. A Simple Radiance 8. The Fire in You (3:24)

Personnel: Firefly: Erik Friedlander (cello); Uri Caine (piano, Mark Helias (bass) and Ches Smith (drums)

Track Listing: Chronotope: 1. Island Incident 2. Chronotope 3. Prayer Dance 4. Metamorphosis 5. Baião 6. Halftime Hijazz* 7. Snowglobe 8. Ropetrick 9. Banish the Birds

Personnel: Chronotope: George Crotty (cello); Jonathan Chapman (bass); Matias Recharte (drums) and Max Senitt or Gilbert Mansour * (percussion)