Parabola :The Jack DeSalvo Trio_Unseen Rain Records

Because I am a UR artist it is understandable that I shouldn't write a review of Jack DeSalvo's new trio recording, Parabola, but this recording is too good for me to sit quietly and say nothing

 

UNSEEN RAIN Records came into existence in, 2010 when Jack DeSalvo, Jim DeSalvo, and Gene Gaudette formed the label.

Since its inception, UR has become one of the premier visionary record labels offering jazz and improvised music by contemporary innovators. UR is focused on high production values and recognizes the entire process surrounding a recording as art.
Label partners now, are Jack DeSalvo, Tom Cabrera, Larry Hutter, and Gene Gaudette. The late Jim, Jack's brother, was an original partner who past away on September 23, 2019.

Parabola is the first album of the trio of the same name. Guitarist/composer Jack DeSalvo (nylon string guitar), bassist and composer Lee Marvin, and drummer Tom Cabrera have had multifarious musical adventures, whether performing internationally or recording, just never the three of them together at the same time until now.  What we have here are formidable improvisers playing original music that holds tight to jazz and folk roots for all its sophistication.

1: Inside The Whisper 5:54 Composer Lee Marvin: Starts off with Tom Cabrera setting up a swing tempo with an eight-bar intro. A nice intro by Lee Marvin on bass. Enter Jack on his nylon string playing the melody and right into the improv section. Jack is a rare nylon player. He uses his nails instead of a guitar pick. This is not avant-garde music but the essence of modern music well played by top professionals who know how to swing.

 2: Intercession in Pastel 6:19 Composer Lee Marvin: Starts off with a bass intro.  Entrances by guitar and drums. The melody is haunting and played with a great feel and a loose interpretation. Jack uses all his classical training in this one and the group responds in kind. There is a wonderful bowed solo bassist/composer Marvin. with lots of bluesy soloing

3:  Gentle Heart 5:53 Composer Jack DeSalvo: A gentle syncopated melody played gently and with lots of bluesy soul 

4: Mud Path 6:51 Composer  Jack DeSalvo Starts off with a slip-shod walking bass into the melody to some very interesting outside playing by Jack

5: Cuatro Cosas 4:26 Composer Lee Marvin: A beautiful intro on bass by Lee playing harmonics leading into a haunting bossa -nova melody.

6: Edging In 4:43 Composer Jack DeSalvo: A perfect title for a tune in which the melody is kind of outside but edges into a swinging tonal improv.  

7: Co-Inside 4:47 Composer Jack DeSalvo: A truly nice inside bossa nova with some wonderful solos 

8: Naiads  5:01 Composer  Jack DeSalvo  A quiet jazz waltz. Soothing and nice to listen to

9: Owner's Own 5:39 Composer Lee Marvin: A rock bossa with a syncopated melody line with gusto by Jack. The group is well-tuned into each other.

This is a recording that every guitar enthusiast  should have in their library

 

Dom Minasi-
09/14/2022

 

 

You can find the recording at  https://unseenrainrecords.bandcamp.com/

And other outlets