Reviews
Andy Parsons & Gene
Lewin: Fundementia
(Sons of Sound SSPCD201)
"Fundementia's
self titled first commercial recording was originally
released at the end of 1998. Featuring
the band's original incarnation: Andy Parsons,
Gene Lewin, Mike Holober, Ben Monder, and Scott
Colley (Steps Ahead), the music was recorded at
The Carriage House in Stamford, Connecticut, onto
2-inch analog tape. It was engineered by Phil Magnotti,
who has recorded too many Grammy-winning jazz titles
too mention.
I'm
usually not tempted by etymology, but the title
'Fundementia' certainly invites it. It suggests
'fun,' 'dementia,' and 'fundementals,' all of
which are evident on this fine co-led effort
by reedist Parsons and drummer Lewin. Fittingly,
they open the disc in duet, playing crisply and
knowlegeably together. Parsons studied under
the fine Jerry Bergonzi, and Lewin plays with
a crackling intelligence reminiscent of Peter
Erskine. The opening 'Idea Man' is a joy. The
drum/sax duet slides into the ensemble arrangement,
providing backdrop for the rubato lines of Parsons
and the wonderful Ben Monder, who plays better
on this disc than I've ever heard him. The guitarist
is given plenty of wide open space to stretch
after the ensemble themes are stated, and he
paints some ominous colors before cranking up
into a furious blowout. And Parsons' own solo
is every bit as good, with a satisfying brawniness
that coaxes the ensemble back and ends with another
duet. Each
selection is adept at negotiating the boundaries
between composition and improvisation, and the
players bring it off with aplomb. 'We're All
in This Alone' has a snaky, gaslit kind of feel,
sort of like a bunch of post-bop detectives on
a beat. Monder and Parsons play spikysolos with
wide intervallic leaps. Other highlights are
the lovely soprano work on 'Jealousy Zealously
Fell Asleep,' the superb drumming on the miniature
tone poem 'Puritans and Libertines,' and the
demented, skirling themes of 'Snide Clone.' And
the entire set benefits from the lovely harmonic
work of Parsons and Monder together. Holober
solos quite well on the title track in particular. Fundementia is
a robust and satisfying set."
— Jason Bivins, Cadence Magazine
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