Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt (Tzadik)
Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt
Released July 21, 2015
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kh-dQZMu8chbROL7lUPFIcXwYtjWGtoSE
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About:
A fabulous release by this Canadian instrumental band that blends latin, r&b, soul, film soundtracks, jazz and more into moody and infectious grooves. Bret Higgins is no stranger to Tzadik, performing on the 2014 release Zebrina and performing with Tzadik regulars like Frank London, David Buchbinder, Ben Goldberg and many others. A new take on The Meters and Booker T, this is small unit in- strumental music that you will return to again and again.
John Zorn
Track Listing:
1. Atlas Revolt (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:32
2. El Metate (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:32
3. All About the Starry Dark (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:35
4. Zagazig (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:09
5. Electric Sinner (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 05:14
6. Sanan (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:04
7. Meat for Dogs (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:05
8. Flashbulb Memories (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 04:50
9. Vorticism (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 03:54
10. Jakaranda (Bret Higgins / Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt) 03:03
Personnel:
Bret Higgins: double bass
Aleksandar Gajic: violin
Robbie Grunwald: electric and acoustic pianos
Tom Juhas: electric guitar
Joshua Van Tassel: drums, percussion
Recorded at Verge Music Lab, by Steve Major
Mixed by David Hermiston
Mastered by Scott Hull
Executive-Producer: John Zorn
Associate Producer: Kazunori Sugiyama
Photography by Asli Alin
Design: Heung-Heung Chin
Review:
Led by bassist-composer Bret Higgins, this Toronto quintet has turned in a winningly melodic debut of carbonated chamber jazz. Unpredictable and swinging, Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt is an exceptional album. The front line is piano man Robbie Grunwald, electric guitarist Tom Juhas and violinist Aleksandar Gajic. Higgins provides the backdrop and drummer Joshua Van Tassel adds color. This jaunty and fearless fivesome seem born to play with one another, their instruments blending so seamlessly one often can’t identify the lead. The bassist has a knack for melody and knows how to develop one. His compositions feel strategic: On “El Metate,” he and Van Tassel lay down a deliberate, rocking groove as Gajic waxes florid and Juhas channels Duane Eddy. The tension in the tune is palpable. Suspense and drama also suffuse “Vorticism,” a showcase for Van Tassel’s mastery of stick, cymbal and dynamics. While he doesn’t quite solo here, the rhythm bed he lays down makes the tune magnetic. This sensual album, marbled with Latin, soul, gypsy and Middle Eastern spicing, is one of the essential releases of the year.
Carlo Wolff (DownBeat)
