John Vanore & Abstract Truth – Contagious Words – Acoustical Concepts AC-44, 53:36 ****:
(John Vanore – trumpet, Flugelhorn, mixer, producer; Michael Mee – alto and soprano saxophone, flute; Bob Howell – tenor and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, flute; Joe Cataldo, Sean McAnally, Tony DeSantis – trumpet, Flugelhorn; Bill Pusey – trumpet, Flugelhorn (tracks 1, 2, 4-5); Kevin Rodgers – trumpet, Flugelhorn (tracks 6-8); George Barnett – French horn; Fred Scott, Larry Toft – trombone; Greg Kettinger – guitar; Craig Thomas – electric and acoustic bass; Dan Monaghan – drums; Ron Thomas – piano (tracks 1, 4, 6-8); Heather Fortune – flute (tracks 1, 5); Jim Daniels – bass trombone (tracks 2, 5))
On his new release, Contagious Words, Philadelphia trumpeter John Vanore continues to improve on his past achievements with his so-called little big band, which has grown from a 12-member ensemble founded in 1981 to the current 14-person group augmented by three additional players on some tracks. Vanore is influenced by Woody Herman – Vanore performed with Herman in the 1970s – and Oliver Nelson (Vanore’s band is named in honor of Nelson’s 1961 classic album Blues and the Abstract Truth) but listeners will probably also hear echoes of Gil Evans and others throughout this 53-minute outing.
Vanore retains a traditional large-group sound while using a fresher contemporary approach. One way Vanore accomplishes this is to combine a front-line trumpet section with French horn, trombones and saxophones, with flutes and other instruments to add tonal colors, alongside a dynamic rhythm unit anchored by guitar, bass and drums. Vanore also organizationally employs a bigger ensemble characteristic while allowing lots of room for individual instrumental solos. And thirdly, Vanore contributes compositions – he wrote six of the eight tracks – which have a modern sensibility mixed with accessibility.
Vanore’s methodology is heard on every cut, including melodic opener “Envy,” which begins with lamenting lines from special guest pianist Ron Thomas and Vanore’s euphonious trumpet. Whenever piano and trumpet are at the forefront, the larger horn sections drop out. Then the saxophones and flutes return to the main theme, which demonstrates Vanore’s careful use of the orchestra. Craig Thomas’ rich acoustic bass (he switches to electric bass on other numbers) is also provided space, which again reveals how well Vanore balances his full-sized band against intimate single instrumentation. “Envy,” by the way, is the first of what Vanore hopes will be a series of pieces which investigate the seven deadly sins. Perhaps Vanore can explore the possibilities of such a venture on a future project.
An urban viewpoint is shown on trumpeter Kevin Rodgers’ short work, “Neopolis,” a soulful gem boosted by Rodgers electric bass and drummer Dan Monaghan’s brisk backbeat. Ron Thomas’ Fender Rhodes also supplies a metropolitan touch, while Vanore and saxophonist Bob Howell deliver pulsing solos. Anyone who likes Don Sebesky’s or Bob James’s definitive CTI arrangements will certainly enjoy this excursion.
Vanore is a narrative composer – hence the album title – who tells a compelling tale. One of the best displays of Vanore’s storytelling skills is the affective “Dreams,” the longest piece, which starts with Greg Kettinger’s ambient guitar; Michael Mee’s floating soprano saxophone; and Craig Thomas’ sidling bass. The slightly foreboding arrangement gradually picks up as the other instruments join in, akin to a film noir which builds from dim menace to centralized distress. Kettinger’s solo evokes Eric Gale’s polished blues tendency – perhaps another nod to the CTI milieu – while Vanore’s improvisation conveys an optimistic flavor. Vanore’s feel for darker moods is also apparent on fusion-tinted closer “Felony,” which is more abstract and leans toward Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew era, particularly via Thomas’ Joe Zawinul-esque Fender Rhodes accompaniment and Kettinger’s full-throttled electric guitar.
TrackList:
1. Envy
2. Substructure
3. You Go to My Head
4. Restless
5. Dreams
6. Neopolis
7. Recess
8. Felony
— Doug Simpson
