The
Critics
SuzanneLorge
Paul deBarros
JimMacnie
JohnMurph
Dr. Lonnie Smith Breathe
★★★
★★★★
★★★
★★★★
Douglas & Younger ForceMajeure
★★★
★★★
★★★
★★★
Hot Heros/Iro Haarla Vodjanoi
★★★
★★★
★★
★★★
Francisco Mela MPT Trio Volume 1
★★
★★★
★★★
★★★
Critics’ Comments
Dr. Lonnie Smith, Breathe Weird, but oddlywonderful at times, especially the unlikely closing trackwith Iggy Pop singing Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman.” The tight horn arrangements are superb, butmore solid swinging in the vein of “TooDamnHot” would have beenwelcome. —Paul de Barros Drenched in the blues, Smith’s playing heightens the excitement of whatever vibe he’s ad- vancing, be itmodern jazz, funk, swing, soul or pop-rock. His forceful presencemoves decisively through each piece—sometimes in a tremor of anticipation, sometimes as a quake that cracks the tunewide open. —Suzanne Lorge Thismostly live set crackles with all the electric interaction, giddy excitement andmarvelous musicianship that we’ve come tomiss during the coronavirus pandemic. —John Murph Douglas & Younger, ForceMajeure Manymusicians have tried to capture the bizarremoment we’re experiencing amid the pandemic, but beefy bassist Douglas and transportive harpist Younger really nail it with this conversational, casual message fromhome, which includes the fierce thrumof the Coltranes, Pharoah and some happy pop. —Paul de Barros Beyond the fun banter here, this eclectic duo shares a deeply feltmusical vocabulary. From opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, they traverse the distance between the dissimilar qualities of their respective instruments to createmotion, warmth and beauty. —Suzanne Lorge I watched several of the duo’s streaming sessions, and their coordination equaled their determi- nation. It’s a nice balancewith the bass viscerally anchoring the harp’s dreamy qualities. Inspired and inspiring. —JimMacnie Hot Heros/Iro Haarla, Vodjanoi Haarla’s finely balanced ensemble benefits fromspacious phrasing and precise harmonic state- ments. This sensitivity to aesthetics seems to derive froma lush interiority—emotions stirring just below the surface of these accomplished performances. —Suzanne Lorge Asmuch as I admire the design of their drama, I fall prey to the tediumthat accompanies it. The music’smelancholy breeds a languor that ultimately dominates the interplay. —JimMacnie Themusic’s wistful allure is worthy of praise. More variation in temperament andmemorable melodicism, however, would be greatly appreciated. —John Murph FranciscoMela, MPT Trio Volume 1 Given its innovative concept, this albumought to bemuchmore engaging than it is. But this Afro-Cuban free-jazz power trio—with debts to Albert Ayler, Ornette’s Prime Time andmaybe a little Derek Bailey—rarely gets out of its own head. —Paul de Barros Working through rattling abstractions gives the trio a chance to find themusic’s lyricism—or, more to the point, create themusic’s lyricism. Unexpected and impressivemove fromMela. —JimMacnie At times recallingOrnette Coleman’s plugged-in flights of fancy, these protean explorations titillatemore than thrill. —John Murph
MARCH 2021 DOWNBEAT 43
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