#Bloomerangs, a music collective dedicated to exploring musical genres from around the world, features Chris Parker on drums, Rodrigo Cotelo on guitars, Stefan Lenthe on bass and Clay Wulbrecht on piano. Their mission is to integrate different cultures and sounds as a vehicle to a universal human expression through music.
Moments and Fragments, their sophomore release, is due on March 27 via Instru Dash Mental Records and showcases original music from its members – including International Songwriting Competition Jazz category semi-finalist tunes “In Some Shape or Form” and “S. Mitchell St.”
As the title implies, this music takes the listener on a journey with multiple dimensions and moods with jazz as the transporting vehicle. Moments and Fragments is littered with a diverse collection of sonic landscapes that snapshots the intent to keep pushing the genre’s stylistic lines. Guitarist Rodrigo Cotelo, who also serves as music director for #Bloomerangs, led the production of the record, in conjunction with drummer and composer Chris Parker.
“Home” opens Moments and Fragments, and is a bluesy, laid-back number, begun with piano and layered up with guitar, bass and drums with a rolling, gentle rhythm, the piano returning frequently to the easy melody. The guitar-led section has some intricate and interesting leads, which the others follow and the track makes an easy, well structured opening. “Leaps and Bounds” is led initially by the keyboards of Clay Wulbrecht and is quicker of pace, lightly peppered with melodies and solo interludes from piano, a steadfast and deeply rhythmic bass line and an atmospheric fade to finish.
“In Some Shape or Form” is easy on the ears, challenging on the rhythms and intricate in delivery while retaining a depth of texture which is very engaging. This is a longer piece and at just over eight minutes, everyone gets to shine: The bass creates some deeply sonorous pitches over gentle explorative piano and twitched-up drums. There is even a gloriously swung-out section – just brief – before #Bloomerangs swings up the tempo again and then we are down low and smooth for a piano-led section, a drum interruption and a well-worked collective number.
“Untold” is short and laced with a distinctly flirtatious Latin rhythm while “Catch a Clue” is a free-playing number, led by different players at different times with some explorative moments in the rhythmic patterns and harmonics. A stand-out number as each musician listens, reacts and explores, reaching into the depths of their instruments’ ranges and coming out with something which works well. “Another Melancholy Waltz” is, well, a melancholic waltz. It calms the pace for a while yet there is still a lot to listen to, including the wonderful piano lines which pervade the track – but also the background is pretty full-on, with texture provided as support.
“After the Fact” is one of those tracks you hear every so often which features a bit of everything: strong rhythms of changing styles and references, a decent and well-worked piano line or two, great bass and percussive lines, which chop and change according to the rest of the band. This is well listened and well delivered by #Bloomerangs. Even a bit of rock guitar in there. “Layers of Complexity” is short, sweet, banjo driven (if there can be such a thing, but yes, there can). “S. Michael’s St.” is interesting in parts, with sections of sheer bliss and irritating repetition, but it is another facet to this intriguing ensemble.
“Change of Pace” is free, rhythmic and intense with rock references, and grunge jazz in there, too. This is very listenable, with ever-changing emphasis, mesmeric rhythmic diversions and a drive toward the insane. “Mind Your F: is introduced by melodica melody. The track is a contrast to those which went before in many ways and quite calming with a wonderful bass solo.
“Normality Links” is just under 30 seconds of vibrating, strong bass over atmospheric keys. “That Sums It Up” closes #Bloomerangs’ Moments and Fragments, and really does sum it up because in this track you can hear references to a multitude of styles and cultures – and that is true of the album. The title is a good choice, because there are moments and there are fragments of virtually anything in this music.
#Bloomerangs has achieved something which is not easy – to link many different influences and musical references – and they do it well. This is interesting, intriguing music.
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