Fourthought CD Reviewed by Scott Yanow

Check out this Review of Fourthought's Album by writer Scott Yanow:


NICHOLAS BIELLO/MANUEL WEYAND QUARTET
FOURTHOUGHT

The four musicians on this excellent CD, altoist Nicholas Biello (who doubles on soprano), drummer Manuel Weyand, pianist Kerong Chok and bassist Cameron Kayne, are important young voices on the New York jazz scene. Coming from very different backgrounds (Weyand was born in Germany and Chok was a significant musician in his native Singapore), they have no difficulty communicating with each other on a set of explorative and dynamic post bop music.

The quartet, which is co-led by Biello and Weyand, perform four originals by the saxophonist, two by the drummer and “On Green Dolphin Street.” None of the new pieces are simply run throughs on familiar chord changes and even “On Green Dolphin Street” sounds much different than usual. The interplay between the musicians is as impressive as their high musicianship and, even with a few brief references to past masters, the music is modern and creative.

The program begins with “Laurceny,” a hard swinging straight ahead piece. Biello's passionate and advanced alto hints in spots at both Cannonball Adderley and Eric Dolphy while being quite original. Chok has a nice spot on piano and drummer Weyand is featured in a brief tradeoff and a concise solo. The jazz waltz “Rumi Native” is a thoughtful piece that is harmonically complex and would have been worthy of Wayne Shorter.

“Green Dolphin Street” is one of the most overplayed songs at jazz jam sessions. However this version, which has been modernized, is quite fresh. Biello takes apart the song with inventive and high-powered ideas while Weyand has an inventive drum solo over a catchy rhythmic pattern. “Intercession” is a ballad with solos by bassist Kayne, Chok and Biello on soprano that take their time and use space well. Its haunting theme deserves to be covered by other modern jazz musicians.

“Arrival,” which has Chok on electric piano, features a menacing feel to its rhythm and a passionate tradeoff by Biello and the keyboardist. After the intensity of “Arrival,” “A Change Of Heart” is a bit of a relief, a heartfelt ballad with melodic and soulful playing by altoist Biello. The closer, a version of “Amethyst” that was recorded live, builds from Chok's out-of-time free piano to evolving into a dense and exciting workout for the full quartet with Biello's soprano in the lead.

Fourthought is a highly recommended set of 21st century jazz that points the way towards the future of the music. This CD is an early milestone for each of its four musicians.

Scott Yanow, author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1

visit http://www.fourthought.net for more information

You can buy our record through CD Baby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/fourthought