CD Reviews

Planet Safety

Soul Note

By JON GARELICK | November 13, 2007

3.0 Stars

The veteran Boston rhythm team of bassist Dave Zinno and drummer Bob Gullotti join forces with the mercurial young Argentine pianist Leo Genovese for this sometimes explosive mix of varied standards and group originals — the latter probably collectively improvised. There’s tight straight-ahead swing on numbers like “Solar” and Zinno’s “Three Things,” which modulates between 3/4 and 4/4. And the title track is free funk with electric keyboards. But elsewhere there’s the electronic phantasmagoria of “Voices,” with sampled Spanish incantations, and “Three Cycle Laundry Machine,” which goes through “Agitate,” “Rinse,” and “Spin,” herky-jerk beats to the smooth hiss of fast fast fast dotted cymbal rhythms, and a hectic cyclical walk with reedy gaida bagpipe and wood flute. Wayne Shorter’s “Pinocchio” is most typical of Genovese’s temperament — after up-tempo solos all around, ending with a fusillade from Gullotti, the pianist begins to decrescendo out, but he can’t help responding to the drummer with a second solo. Soon he’s unleashing wild running patterns and percussive staccato chords, sweeping drums and bass back up with him. Then he quiets down again and takes it out. Do they have volcanoes in Argentina?

Planet Safety | Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge | November 16, 10 pm | 617.395.1393

Related: Destination out, Mixed media, Sofía Koutsovitis, More

Topics: CD Reviews , Leo Genovese, Bob Gullotti, Wayne Shorter, More

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