Claudia Quintet,The: Super Petite

Super Petite is the eighth release by the critically acclaimed Claudia Quintet featuring the longstanding line-up: clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Chris Speed, vibraphonist Matt Moran, bassist Drew Gress, and accordionist Red Wierenga and composer John Hollenbeck who says the album is so named, "because the tunes are short but can also be grand in a way - just not in length."

As a composer Hollenbeck is always dealing with a wealth of ideas, but here he's also taking issue with modern music's tendency to just push the button marked epic. "I'm feeling things in the opposite direction," he explains. "When tunes are longer, there tend to be moments when not a whole lot is happening. If you have a really short tune, the whole thing has to be compelling."

There's some real musical wit on offer particularly on "A-List" which began with the decidedly odd scenario of imagining the Claudia Quintet walking the red carpet. ("Think Entourage meets the Geek Squad," as Hollenbeck puts it in his liner notes.) Hollenbeck insists the song, "feels almost like a Led Zeppelin tune in our heads." I don't see that reference myself but it is certainly an insistent piece which rewards repeated listens as does the just as good "If You Seek a Fox" which follows it on the album. In fact the whole album bears repeated listens probably late at night with the lights down.

Track Listing:
1. Nightbreak (6:00)
2. JFK Beagle (3:29)
3. A-List (5:19)
4. Philly (5:14)
5. Peterborough (4:13)
6. Rose Colored Rhythm (8:24)
7. If you seek a Fox (4:16)
8. Pure Poem (1:53)
9. Newark Beagle (3:20)
10. Mangold (4:12)

Added: July 5th 2016
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
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Language: english

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