We find from the title Evening Will Find Itself that saxophonist, composer and bandleader Alex LoRe is versed in the modernist classic novel Ulysses by James Joyce. We also find in beholding the music within this album that LoRe is also well-versed in modernist jazz, presenting a set of musical chapters that likewise stretches that art form to the frontiers of what is possible.
LoRe’s fourth long-player continues the evolution of this multitalented altoist, who has continued to leave approving impressions in this space whether it be his solo work or his participation in the all-star cooperative Kind Folk.
Backing LoRe as before is his Weirdear band, comprising pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Desmond White and drummer Allan Mednard, all up-and-comers with the wherewithal to carry out LoRe’s stated mission to “try some different things that made me a bit been experiencing, and trying to configure and make sense of it all through music.” That starts with the opener “Stripes,” which shows just how advanced LoRe’s song penning acumen has gotten: a throbbing rhythm pacing harmony and counter-harmony that’s persistently pushing forward. There’s a sense of urgency coupled with a good measure of certitude.
“Face Unseen” begins in the mode of a Wayne Shorter noir ballad, but LoRe puts his own twist on it with a lissome, fluidly flowing middle section that features White in an elevated role. As “Fauxlosophy” also changes up in the intermediate segment, you begin to see a pattern whereby LoRe comes up with these urbane melodies that could on their own make up an entirely good song. However, with him they serve as the opening salvo for through-composed pieces that with well-placed and succinct solos holds attention for the duration of the performance.
It’s not just about well-written charts, the group interplay plays a big role as well. Listen to “Silent Ship” and how LoRe interacts tightly with White and then Zaleski.
Even for the “Radiance” trio of short sketches, LoRe pours in inventive schemes. “Radiance I” is a hypnotic marriage of harmony and rhythm. Where that track seems elliptical in shape, the theme “Radiance II” is circular, but with little rhythmic disruptions tossed in to create an edge. “Radiance III” is also a slightly off-kilter progression made lucid by White’s lead part.
Any doubts about LoRe’s chops would quickly be dispelled with “Green,” where he not only shreds, but does so purposefully and without any degradation of his soft-edged tone. “At Shore” is also a test of skills inside a piece that demonstrates a mastery of complex, avant-garde jazz.
Evening Will Find Itself is out now, from Whirlwind Recordings. You can find it on Bandcamp.
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