Nick Fraser - Areas [Elastic Recordings 026]

Released via Elastic Recordings as their cat.no. 026 on April 10th, 2k26 is "Areas", the latest full length album effort conceived by Toronto's long-time active Jazz drummer Nick Fraser. Once again teaming up with Tony Malaby on saxophone duties as well as Kris Davis on piano to embark on a trio journey spanning a total of seven brand new compositions and a total runtime of approximately 40 minutes "Areas" showcases not only Fraser approach to and distinct vision of FreeJazz and Avantgarde Jazz but also the quality of his music as sonic source material, with the album sporting three interludes of electro-acoustic nature derived by piano player x composer John Kameel Farah from duo perfomances by Fraser / Malaby as a rather unusual, yet creative and outstanding addition to the trios work at the core of this release. With "Mimic" the musical triumvirate focuses on a stripped down nocturnal take on Dark Jazz before introducing deeply emotional, yet in parts raw and unhinged sax lines backed by subdued and well hypnotic groove abstractions building up to an intense, densely arranged climax whilst the 11+ minutes spanning main piece "Area" drifts through spiralling emotions, rather classically-oriented Jazz infusions and screaming high pressure sequences before winding down in a calm, tender and borderline playful manner. Furthermore "There Are Other Ways" presents hard hitting muscular snare drum attacks creating a syncopated swing as a base for hammered piano chords and intense free sax expressions and "Sketch 57" is way more of a sketch, not only for its - once again - extended run time but most importantly for its cosy and almost romantic interpretation of what we'd call late night Jazz for lovers which, although working its way towards expressive heights, never forsakes its main motivation and feel. Defo one for the well informed Jazz afficionado, this.