Alexandre Nussbaum

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Last released

15/ 09/ 04

source: Saxophone Journal

Reto Suher Quartet - Montag

Usually when CDs come in for review, they are accompanied by some written material on the artist or the music. Often times the material is of little value, since press people like to tell you how great a particular artist is or what you are listening to is something other than what you hear. At the very least, the CD comes with some liner notes, which very often will have some sort of biographical information. In the case of this CD, no such material was included, not a word. I even tried Mr. Suhner's website to no avail (maybe you'll have better luck at www.retosuhner.com). I only know two things about him: he lives in Zurich Switzerland and he's a very good saxophone player. The music presented here has Suhner playing soprano and alto saxophones, as well as alto clarinet. The other members of his group include Lester Menezes, piano; Fabian Gisler, bass; and Dominik Burkhalter, drums. The music is comprised of fifteen separate tracks, six of which were written by Suhner, four by Menezes, and five interlude type pieces, all called Comment, which are credited to the band. The material is presented in three groups that are linked together by the aforementioned comments. The first group begins with Faisal al-Kaisim, a mysterioso piece set in a straight eighth Latin groove, sounding particularly Middle-Eastern once the soprano comes in with the melody. Suhner's dark, rich sound and control on soprano is top notch: he has obviously listened to the best of the jazz soprano saxophonists in the world, but has also had good solid classical training himself. He displays some good, clean technique, but not at the expense of the music. The fist of the comments (solo bass) links Faisal with Stars, a moody ballad once again played on soprano. After a thoughtful piano solo by Menezes, Shuner plays, showing definite signs of Wayne Shorter absorbtion. Another comment, this time by solo drums, brings us to the final piece of this group, and the first composition by Menezes, Keeping Up With The Joneses. The intricate, fast moving theme is played by unison piano and soprano, which leads to Suhner's high energy solo. His crisp articulation gives his wonderful jazzed lines a new dimension. Remembrance, by Menezes, the only track on the CD which stands by itself, begins with an a capella piano statement of the melody, and continues with soprano and piano. At the conclusion of the melody, the pair begin an infectious ostinato figure in compound meter which is then picked up by bass and drums. As the rhythm section continues the figure, Suhner plays another high-energy solo over the top. This piece is going to leave a smile on your face. The next group of pieces begins with a comment, this time starting with solo alto saxophone and later joined by the rest of the band. This comment is a great introduction to Suhner's wonderful alto playing: his sound is in the moment (shades of Kenny Garrett) but definitely not a copy. The band leads seamlessly into Tobi, a straight eighth tune that gives Suhner plenty of space to preach his case. After a few more tunes and a "free comment" by the entire band, this group closed with Drew, a modal tune whose melody puts Shuner in "intervallic purgatory". One final tune of special interest, A Passing Thought, by Menezes, is a beautiful ballad played by piano and alto clarinet (that's clarinet, not saxophone). Usually when I encounter this instrument I run for the nearest air-raid shelter but not this time. Suhner plays with true heart and soul, his sound is just lovely, warm, rich, and in tune. This may be my favorite track on the recording. I highly recommend this CD because the music comes from a real artist, whoever he may be. (8) Billy Kerr

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