Young California-based electric guitarist
Morell has released two previous CDs, but this is his first with a septet. As a musical linguist, he has his somewhat twangy feet firmly planted in soil enriched by the
John Scofield/
John Abercrombie/
Bill Frisell strain of contemporary players. As a composer and bandleader, he strongly recalls contemporary peers the Either/Orchestra,
Anthony Wilson, and
Jim Cifelli. The septet includes such notables as the great veteran L.A. studio drummer
John Guerin and outstanding soloists like trumpeter John Daversa and saxophonist
Tom Peterson.
Morell wrote and arranged all ten selections. Odd meters crop up only occasionally, as in the spirited, highlife-flavored "Jungle Book" and the quirky, counterpoint-loaded "Dog Years." More angularity leads to hard swinging for the darker hues of "Evil Twins," while
Morell's most interesting writing comes up during "Occam's Razor," which displays a truly original stance and a nice feel for modern big-band composing. At its fullest and most expansive, the septet wells up with emotion during the cool blues of "Whirly Bird," goes serene and sultry during "Fine Art in the Eye of a Beast," and breaks it down simply on the ballad "Passers By." The easy waltz "You Might Be Mistaken" sports horns sad and haunting. The easy duckwalk funk of "Rumble" finds the band at its most playful. On the intricate side, "Seventy Three Falling" is a collapsible bop featuring a diffuse melody line,
Morell's loose and winding guitar, and moaning horns. Guerin is the glue throughout: His no-nonsense rhythmic presence seals the fate of the frameworks that
Morell chooses, energizing and inspiring the soloists and riveting down the melody lines with his own personal brand of indefatigable swing. A promising effort that hints at much better things to come.