Alto-sax player Saul Berson (left) draws on his Jewish and Indian roots
for his quartet’s latest release, the elegant and adventurous Intricacy.
Intricacy (Moco Loco)
Intricacy’s music reflects its title without lapsing into mannered complexity or pretentiousness. The opening cut on the Saul Berson Quartet’s third postbop jazz recording is a fluid and lively cover of Duke Ellington’s “Ko-Ko” that sets the tone for what follows. Alto-sax player Berson, who writes most of the compositions, often draws on his Jewish and Indian roots for fresh rhythmic and melodic ideas. “Corner of Cairo & Main”, for instance, has a distinctively Middle Eastern sensuality, its pulse emphasized by guest Boris
Sichon’s hand percussion.
The musicians are adventurous, but their playing is not abrasive. Acoustic bassist Paul Blaney constantly searches for new tones and textures, and adds a touch of funk to Berson’s swing tune “Well Here’s One”. Accordionist Kim Darwin’s “Middle Class Dance” starts out with a tipsy tango feel, then shifts gear to a wild improvisation by electric guitarist Tony Wilson, with Berson joining in on the fun. After a decade together, the SBQ has evolved into a remarkably cohesive and responsive unit, creating elegant jazz spiced with world music.
The Saul Berson Quartet plays the Ironworks next Saturday (June 28).
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