Sun On Sand/ Joshua Redman & Brooklyn Rider - chamber jazz

By Narendra Kusnur

Album: Sun On Sand
Artistes: Joshua Redman & Brooklyn Rider
Genre: Chamber jazz
Label: Nonesuch Records
Rating: *****

Joshua Redman is one of the most versatile saxophonists of the 21st century, displaying mastery over the tenor, alto and soprano forms. The winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991, he has often shown a ready desire to experiment.

Earlier this year, Redman led a quartet on Come What May, a collection of seven tunes he wrote. On his latest sojourn Sun On Sand, he is joined by the Brooklyn Rider String Quartet to play compositions from a suite written by Patrick Zimmerli.

Sun On Sand is a highly innovative collaboration, also featuring double bassist Scott Colley and drummer Satoshi Takeisha. As a sub-genre, one could classify it as avant garde jazz, new age, jazz crossover or chamber jazz. With the string quartet featuring two violins, viola and cello, the musicians combine to create some remarkable acoustic music blending jazz with classical elements, American folk and, at times, hummable pop melodies.

The album's title is said to have been inspired by different expressions of light, and as such, the pieces have different speeds, textures and moods. On the opening track ‘Flash’, Redman plays the saxophone at a brisk and energetic pace, whereas drummer Takeisha displays perfect timing.

‘Between Dog And Wolf’, a name inspired by a French term meaning dusk, has a soothing string section that makes brief use of pizzicato (plucking). The title track begins with a strong bassline, and is joined by hand percussion, before the saxophone takes over. This one's a surefire earworm.

‘Dark White’ has a danceable tango effect, and is probably the album's most vibrant tune. The intense ‘Soft Focus’ slows down the tempo, and sounds like the background score from a Hollywood movie. On ‘Through Mist’, Redman shines on the tenor saxophone and the strings are used rather smartly.

After a slow intro, ‘Starbursts And Haloes’ picks up tempo with some brilliant saxophone and drum parts. It's a short piece but creates quick impact. A reprise of ‘Between Dog And Wolf’, using a different tonality of saxophone and raw jazz inflections, concludes this remarkable set.

While the title track and ‘Dark Light’ are the highlights, the other tunes grow on repeated hearing. Though serious listening is always preferable, this is the kind of collection that could work well even if played casually in the background.