One of the more underrated practitioners of the hard-bop form in the 21st century, Tom Tallitsch brings considerable aptitude toward his composing and saxophone playing to make consistently robust records. And all that Tallitsch’s upcoming eleventh release Message does is to keep that streak going.
Most every new Tallitsch release is an adjustment or evolution from the prior one in terms of approach and personnel. 2019’s Ten was more than that in the sense that the backing band was completely changed and there were rock overtones. The backing lineup of Mike Kennedy (guitar), Matthew Parrish (bass) and Dan Monaghan (drums) is retained for Message but is supplemented with the piano of Neil Podgurski (Brian Settles’ Central Station, Chad Taylor Trio). The music itself, however, returns straight back into the heart of jazz.
Taped just before the coronavirus hit stateside, Message finds Tallitsch and his new quintet already finding its stride. “Let’s Go!” is a real finger snapper, bolstered by a memorable head and a parade of solid individual performances, from the leader’s tenor sax on to Monaghan’s bustling drums. “Message” is a downshift to a melancholy ballad full of minor chord soul, that feeling which Tallitsch is particularly good at capturing on a tenor sax.
Guitar/sax unison lines in front of Monaghan’s dynamic drums set the tone for “Zip Line” (video above), with swell spotlights for Podgurski and Kennedy. Tallitsch’s soprano sax makes winsome waves over a bossa nova measure for “Bubble” and a taut, Parrish bass line frames the melodic “Fearless” while Kennedy is again on hand to provide tasteful licks.
“Dusk” is another one of Tallitsch’s polished ballads, kissed with just a touch of blues and Podgurski’s thoughtful piano solo. “Mablestates” — a title re-jiggering of the standard “Stablemates” — has an easy swing, as “In The Weeds” shows off the tight swing unity of Tallitsch’s quintet. Lastly, Monaghan’s subtly shuffling drums bestows a gratifying restlessness on the slower-paced “Moon.”
In uncertain times like these, it’s nice to have the comfort of knowing that Tom Tallitsch is going to deliver on a near-annual basis that kind of jazz that made you fall in love with jazz in the first place. That’s the Message in this music.
The self-released Message arrives on February 1, 2021. Get it from Bandcamp.
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