The debut album from Baltimore's
Mark
Papagno Trio is a fine fusion recording that has strong shades of
Allan Holdsworth's work, mixed with straight-ahead jazz sensibilities.
Joining guitarist Papagno are Joshua Davis (Tim Miller) on double bass,
and Todd Harrison (Jazz Ambassadors) on drums. All of
Trio's
tracks were written by Papagno, and are largely driven by his jazzy
chordal melodies and lyrical improvised lines. The music is very
advanced from a harmonic standpoint, but it's delivered with a raw, live
approach that allows the songs to breath.
With his smooth
overdriven lead tone, fast legato lines, and head scratch-inducing
chords, Papagno will certainly draw comparisons to Holdsworth. However,
there's an airy, Tim Miller-like quality in his playing and writing as
well. And while Papagno's solos do have that inquisitive, searching
quality that many legato-style players possess, he rarely sounds like
he's "noodling." No matter how crazy his lines may be, he always manages
to land on his feet, thanks in large part to his strong vibrato and
phrasing.
One of the 'X' factors that gives Papagno's trio it's
own sound is Davis' double bass work. It's a refreshing change to hear
acoustic bass utilized in a genre so dominated by the electric variety.
Davis adds a welcome, straight-ahead touch to this music, not only with
his sound, but with his chops as well.
Trio features 14
tracks in all, with several of the tunes clocking in at under two
minutes in length. These short pieces have an interlude-like quality
which really ties the album together when listening to the disc from
beginning to end. The record opens with a bang with the appropriately
titled "Open" - a minute-long barrage of wild guitar runs played over
Harrison's frenetic drumming. The second track "Alchemy" follows a more
standard format, and provides a good example of Papagno's
improvisational skills. His solo is loaded with great fast runs, and
chromatic patterns. "Textures" and "Guiding Lines" are two more great
showcases for Papagno's playing. Davis' contributions really come to
bear on "The Constant" where he takes a great extended solo over some
fine drum work by Harrison. The album's strongest piece, however, may be
"Halo." While is does feature rich, clean-tone chords which is a common
trait throughout the disc, this song also builds in intensity like no
other track. By the time Papagno reaches his solo spot, he's laying into
the chords with an overdriven tone, and the whole band is right there
with him.
There are several solo guitar pieces on the album as
well, such "Grey" which features some beautiful arpeggiated chords, and
"Echoes" where Papagno uses volume swells to add a haunting, atmospheric
mood. With "Light And Dark," Papagno take a different approach and
kicks in the gain for some single-note lines in the middle of the piece.
Trio
is a strong debut from Papagno, and is a fine showcase for his highly
developed playing and improv skills. He also proves himself to be a
great writer in the jazz fusion realm, and he clearly has the right
bandmates to pull off his songs in a compelling way. I definitely want
to hear more from Papagno and his trio in the future.
Mark
Papagno TrioPersonnel:
Mark Papagno - Guitar
Joshua
Davis - Bass
Todd Harrison - Drums
Tracklisting:
1.
Open
2. Alchemy
3. Grey
4. Textures
5. Edge
6. Light And
Dark
7. The Constant
8. Guiding Lines
9. Arrow In The Blue
10.
Synthesis
11. Wave
12. Halo
13. Echoes
14. Across Night
Skies
http://markpapagnomusic.com/
Rich
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