Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio – Outliers – Papillon Sounds PS91899, 48:10 [2/19/19] ****:
Bassist Stephan Crump (credits include Vijay Iyer, saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and pianist Kris Davis) has created something impressive and inimitable with his Rosetta Trio. It’s not every jazz group that is an all-string band: no drums, no keyboards, no reeds or horns: just Crump on acoustic bass, Liberty Ellman (a member of Henry Threadgill’s ensemble, Zooid) on acoustic guitar and Jamie Fox on electric guitar. Fox has a wide résumé which includes Brother Jack Mc Duff, Dr. John, Ernie Watts, Carla Thomas, Joan Baez and Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Crump founded the Rosetta Trio in 2004 and since that time the threesome has deepened and expanded their musical vision. The 48-minute, nine-track Outliers is the fourth outing for Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio and shows the trio focusing more openly with eclectic and fluent jazz at the forefront. Outliers was issued as an eco-friendly gatefold CD; as high-quality digital download files; and limited-edition, audiophile heavy-weight vinyl LP. This review refers to the LP, which has one less track than the CD and the digital download: the LP does not include Crump’s “Esquima Dream.” However, the LP comes with a digital download code so buyers can get the all tracks as needed.
Most of the tunes (all Crump originals except for one by Ellman) have a rural, even pastoral, sense which may remind some listeners of Bill Frisell, Ralph Towner or John Abercrombie. This is especially apparent on the 7:30 title track, where the two guitars generate an ebbing and flowing motion where differences tend to be nuanced in a deliberately bending, neo-modern approach. The electric and acoustic guitars carry forward a pointillistic dialogue where notes are clustered in tight but fluid constructions while Crump layers a pointed bass foundation. Another rustic-tinged cut is the nearly six-minute “Dec 5,” a slightly subdued piece written for Crump’s late brother, Patrick, who passed away in 2014. The equally lyrical and blue-hued “Middle March” is also a tribute to Patrick Crump. The four-minute “Middle March” begins with an introspective vibe underlined by arco bass and fingerpicked guitar. As “Middle March” progresses, the arrangement elevates with brighter moments which are filtered via a picturesque melody.
Stepahn Crump,
by Nathan James Leatherman
Other material has varied facets. The nearly six-minute vacillating “Synapse” features fast-strummed guitar notes from both Ellman and Fox and a changing rhythmic curvature. “Synapse” is a good example of how the trio combines a shifting melody with unusual tonality. Ellman’s “Cryoseism” (the title comes from a scientific description for an ice quake or a frost quake) also has a flexible amount of autonomy and experimentation, where the guitars and bass maintain an explorative feel. Crump redoes some of his older compositions. The nearly six-minute “Away From, A Way To” was initially a quartet tune with bass, drums, sax and piano, from Crump’s 1997 record, Poems and Other Things. Crump’s new adaptation is slower, obviously more acoustic and emphasizes a rustic-limned melodicism which echoes some of Metheny’s mainstream musings. The CD/digital album concludes with another Crump re-think, the three-minute “Esquima Dream,” which began life as a funky number on Crump’s 2016 quartet release, Rhombal. The original had groove-linked bass, drums and two horns. The all-string rendition has less funk but sustains a bouncy boisterousness highlighted by guitar embellishments and a swinging currency. If anyone thinks an all-string trio might be limiting in a jazz context, give Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio a tryout.
Musicians:
Liberty Ellman – acoustic guitar; Jamie Fox – electric guitar; Stephan Crump – acoustic bass, producer
TrackList:
In Waves
Re Eyes
Middle March
Outliers
Synapse
Dec 5
Cryoseism
Away From, A Way To
Esquima Dream [Not on LP version]
—Doug Simpson
More Information and music available at Stephan Crump’s Website:
