Randy Brecker - Brecker Plays Rovatti - Sacred Bond '2019

Tracks list

Jackie and Roy Krall, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Marian and Jimmy
McParland—all musically fruitful jazz marriages. The progression
continues with Sacred Bond from trumpeter, Randy Brecker and saxophonist spouse
Ada Rovatti. In some of the aforementioned cases, specifically Jackie and Roy,
the duo are stylistically tied at the hip. Here, the respective styles of
Brecker and Rovatti merge spectacularly—two stellar musicians who happen
to be an item. The result? A superb performance.
Rovatti, a technically outstanding and creative saxophonist, delivers ten
originals which are robust platforms on which she, Randy and the band can
stretch out. The selections cover a diverse range of grooves from the plaintive
title opener to the dramatically soulful Reverence (a respectful salute to
Aretha Franklin), Baggage, a varied-tempo textural statement (which thematically
vaguely echoes Horace SilversStrollin), a soprano sax stated Britches
Blue,—a highlight that tips hat to the Prince of Darkness, the
straight-ahead swinger, The Queen of Bibelot, and a cuica-infused Latin-flavored
take, The Other Side of the Coin. The triple-metered, dynamic Quietly Me deals
the seal.
The most compelling component of this album is the combination of the
Rovatti-Brecker improvisational styles. Rovatti, a modernist, favors longer,
dynamically-enhanced ribbons that cover the range and timbre of her axes. No
lick player, she grabs the thematic substance of the composition at hand and
lets fly a Niagara of creativity. The Grammy-winning Brecker is on top of his
game throughout. He is pari passu with his frontline partner and follows suit
with exciting lines offering frequent hints of his Philly bebop roots.
The ensemble is as good as it gets. Pianist David Kikoski (who offers a
3rd-degree solo on The Queen of Bibelot) and ace rhythm mates shine bright
across the date.
No gimmickry here, just a connected team and its crew offering superb music.
Sacred Bond invites, enthralls and is indeed a marriage well-played.

Tracklist:
 01. Randy Brecker - Sacred Bond (07:20)
 02. Randy Brecker - Helping Hands (08:39)
 03. Randy Brecker - Reverence (08:36)
 04. Randy Brecker - The Baggae (10:32)
 05. Randy Brecker - The Queen of Bibelot (05:20)
 06. Randy Brecker - Britches Blue (08:31)
 07. Randy Brecker - Brainwashed (05:25)
 08. Randy Brecker - Mirror (05:42)
 09. Randy Brecker - The Other Side of the Coin (07:03)
 10. Randy Brecker - Quietly Me (06:47)

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