The O’Farrill Brothers Band – Sensing Flight – Zoho Music

by | Jan 24, 2013 | Jazz CD Reviews

The O’Farrill Brothers Band – Sensing Flight – Zoho Music ZM 201301, 61:19 ***½:

(Adam O’Farrill – trumpet; Livio Almeida – tenor sax; Gabe Schnider – guitar; Adam Kromelow – piano; Raviv Markovitz – bass; Zack O’Farrill – drums)

There is an old cliché which states: “the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree”. The real conundrum is whether the acorn is simply a nut, or does it develop into a tree. While the issue may not be fully answered as yet, the tree analogy seems to be the more probable outcome, and the brothers’ latest recording Sensing Flight enhances that eventuality.

As sons of Arturo O’Farrill and grandsons of Chico O’Farrill, their musical pedigree is impressive, but they have much to emulate and the expectations are high. In this eight-track session, the key individual is trumpeter-composer Adam O’Farrill who dominates each track with his playing, as well as contributing five original compositions. He is particularly effective on the bluesy “Mind Troubles”, he also delivers some solid reflection on “Monet”. Throughout the band delivers a post-bop fusion sound instilled from uncounted beginnings.

Each composition exhibits a sympathetic understanding among the band members, with drummer Zack O’Farrill demonstrating unexpected force on “Wrong Key Donkey” and conveys the appropriate rhythm dynamic to either bolster or test the rest of the band on each and every track. While all members of the group are perceptive improvisers, tenor saxophonist Livio Almeida reveals phrases and flowing lines to good effect, in addition to adding some funk on his own composition “Action And Reaction”.

This is a solid outing from an engaging and youthful band.

TrackList: Drive; Wrong Key Donkey; Monet; Action And Reaction; Mind Troubles; Broken Wings; Full Measure; Upper Manhattan Medical Group; Sensations

—Pierre Giroux

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