Tiemann – Belzer:
{Crypto} + Matt Belzer’s Connections (CDs)
Sound: B Music:
B
Matt Belzer is a multi-instrument player who happens to be
good at all he specializes in. On his 5th
and 6th albums, he comes up with more proof of why. On {Crypto} (2004), he is joined by
Scott Tiemann on drums and cymbals.
With some Belzer originals and Thelonious Monk classics, the tracks are:
1) We’re
All Gonna Die Now
2) Criss
Cross
3) Crypto
4) Narayama
5) Evidence
6) Dead
Monkey
It is more of the kind of avant-garde Jazz that we do not
get to hear enough, reminding us of how ahead of his time Monk still is and the
kind of talent it takes to continue his tradition and legacy. Tiemann and Belzer can proudly join it and
se it as their own with as good as these performances are.
Connections (2005) is Belzer’s show, but is
no less clever, challenging or entertaining.
Though the Jazz is more conventional by comparison, if such a word can
be used for the genre, it is as thoughtful.
The name on the tracks here that follow gives you an idea of the upbeat,
classy attitude of the album:
1) Deep
Focus
2) The
Ember Waltz
3) Misfit
The Second
4) No Blues
On Mars (It’s All Red)
5) The
Station
6) Truism
7) Tinjitu
If the last album was more organic in nature, this one is
more interested in the city and technologized future in some odd way, though it
is ironic that this one is not as abstract or avant-garde. Either way, it shows a love of music and you
cannot go wrong on either title.
The PCM 2.0 16Bit/44.1kHz Stereo on both is prime and
good, capturing the music and sound as well as the CD format can, though an
SACD (especially multi-channel) would have been interesting. In any case, the producing and engineering
is up to snuff with the talent and performances, so know that this is not the
last we have heard of Matt Belzer and that is a good thing.
- Nicholas Sheffo
