Two giants of modern jazz align for Bob Brookmeyer & Kenny Wheeler Quintet Island, a two-CD production, one of which is a DVD featuring band commentary, transcribed solos, and interviews. Here, valve trombone master Bob Brookmeyer and trumpet legend Kenny Wheeler project warmth and nuance atop a traditional drums/bass/piano based quintet setting as Wheeler's relatively infamous, yearning lines and climactically constructed lyricism remain consistent throughout. The duo alternates soloing activities while also coalescing for softly stated choruses during these predominately medium-tempo jazz works. On this release, pianist Frank Carlberg provides complementary melodies amid the rhythm section's buoyantly constructed undercurrents. The band pursues sanguine balladry amid the lead soloists' often engaging dialogues, although Wheeler reaches for the stars via a series of nicely articulated high notes on "Upstairs With Beatrice." With this piece, the always-inventive drummer John Hollenbeck peppers his toms in support of the trumpeter's ascending mode of attack. Many of these compositions feature movements consisting of undulating swing grooves and pleasant melodies. On the flip side, one might have hoped for a few up-tempo numbers injected into the mix, as the unwavering flow creates a bit of a blur about midway through the program. - Glen Astarita / allmusic
Artist's House does it again with Island, a lovely session by Bob Brookmeyer, master composer and trombonist, and composer/flügelhorn giant Kenny Wheeler. With drummer John Hollenbeck, pianist Frank Carlberg, and bassist Jeremy Allen, the quintet creates a series of expansive yet pastoral jazz settings for the exploration at the margins without the edges. Make no mistake; aesthetically this is "beautiful" and deeply moving music. The level of composition here is the heist, and the articulation of these tonal and harmonic architectures is flawless. As for the interplay between Brookmeyer and Wheeler, go no further than Wheeler's stellar "114" for evidence, a song in which lines are played, tagged, and re-sung with nuanced gestural and textural differences as the rhythm section winds and shifts its way around time and space considerations. Likewise, Brookmeyer's lengthy "Island," with its contrapuntal elegance and impressionistic charm that allows Wheeler to state a melody as if it had left the room the day before, is hauntingly gorgeous. As Brookmeyer gradually enters into the discussion between Wheeler and the rhythm section and colors the ends of his lines with new extensions and codas, the entire track opens like a lily on Easter morning. Like Jimmy Giuffre's experiments with Jim Hall and those with Steve Swallow and Paul Bley, tonal exploration along tapered harmonic convergences is the stuff of masterful composition. That this music is played with such grace, elegance, and aplomb makes it a gift to be cherished and studied. In addition to the CD, the set comes with a bonus disc that contains MP3s and a DVD that features a video shoot of the session as well as interviews with all involved and lead sheets. - Tom Jurek / allmusic
Veterans Bob Brookmeyer and Kenny Wheeler explore shared sensibilities on Island, a collection that could have fit comfortably in Wheeler’s ECM catalogue, but instead spearheads the resuscitated Artists House label. Although they’ve not recorded together before, they set eachother up and finish eachother’s thoughts like a long married couple. The island in question seems more north Atlantic than Caribbean. While the program tends toward moody mid-tempo tunes, the high level of playing keeps monotony at bay.
The disc opens with “Before the First Time,” and Brookmeyer blowing breathy velvet. Bassist Jeremy Allen echoes and tweaks Brookmeyer’s lines, and when Kenny joins with Frank Carlberg on piano and John Hollenbeck on drums, the thaw is on. Brookmeyer and Wheeler join voices and justifiably show off their tones. Carlberg plays off the time to push the momentum, then it drops back to Brookmeyer and Allen with Hollenbeck whispering on cymbals. By the time Wheeler gets to drive the engine’s warmed up and he delights in sharp turns. Beginning slow and spacious, Wheeler’s “114” coalesces with soulful interplay between the horns. The rhythm section sets it on simmer while Wheeler takes a thrill ride solo. Brookmeyer covers as much ground with fewer notes. The ensemble plays a majestic outro.
“Song for Kenny” gives Wheeler some elegant minors to play through. He states the theme and finds Brookmeyer on the bridge. Their counterpoint gives way to Wheeler’s flowing take, which in turn yields to Brookmeyer’s swinging assessment. The piece ends wistfully. “Upstairs with Beatrice” swings with Brookmeyer telling his story first. Carlberg plays a repetitive line against a quirky drum pattern until Wheeler sails through sweeping everyone along. The arrangement includes some fine unison playing by the horns.
Brookmeyer’s “Island” boasts an exotic melody first stated by Wheeler. The sparse rhythm section leaves Wheeler and Brookmeyer room to trade lines and solo. The band lays out as Carlberg plays a dramatic interlude. Hollenbeck’s cymbals recreate wave song. “Strange One” works a Hollenbecks’s bowed bass and repetitive figure from Carlberg against Wheeler’s flight of inspiration. Brookmeyer turns the melody over while Hollenbeck experiments with odd ambient sounds. - Rex Butters / allaboutjazz
Tracks
1. Before The First Time (Wheeler)
2. 114 (Wheeler)
3. Where Do We Go From Here? (Wheeler)
4. Song For Kenny (Brookmeyer)
5. Upstairs With Beatrice (Brookmeyer)
6. Island (Brookmeyer)
7. Strange One (Wheeler)
JEREMY ALLEN bass
JOHN HOLLENBECK drums
KENNY WHEELER flugelhorn, trumpet
FRANK CARLBERG piano
BOB BROOKMEYER valve trombone
Recorded September 27-29, 2002 at Mix One Studios, Boston, MA.
Artists House – AH006