As Things Do (Intakt Records) is bassist Michael Formanek’s return to leading a quartet format dedicated to playing fresh Formanek originals. That leads to high expectations because of the body of work he’s left behind up to now, but these are expectations easily met.
There might not ever again be anything like the celebrated Michael Formanek Quartet of the early 2010s, but the Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet has its own unique merits. Certainly the star power is just as potent with Kris Davis on piano, Tony Malaby on saxophones and Ches Smith undertaking the drums and vibraphone, a configuration that even imitates that earlier quartet. (Malaby, it should be noted, plays tenor and soprano sax while Tim Berne played alto.)
True to form, though, Formanek composes with his bandmates in mind, so the set of tunes custom-built for the Elusion Quartet aren’t necessarily of the same variety as the ones targeted for the Tim Berne/Craig Taborn/Gerald Cleaver ensemble. They are characteristically inventive and often surprising, just done differently to best leverage the talent at hand.
Formanek sometimes likes to zig when you expect him to zag, the extended, one-note intro of “Bury The Lede” brings home that point. But then he moves to a pattern and that’s when Malaby and Smith detonate their respective instruments amid Davis plonking down grand chords that center the song as much as Formanek himself; the intense spirituality of the song evokes the late Pharoah Sanders.
Despite its three minute running time, “In Turn” is elaborately composed, with pleasant surprises at every turn (including Smith on vibes before turning to drums at the ending segment). “Cracked Bells” is also constantly unfolding — but this time for 10 minutes — and it traverses through enigmatic phrases, using tension and release as composition-within-composition and culminating in the last two minutes.
Formanek’s vast facility on bass mostly lurks but is on full display for the opening moments of “Entropy,” where Smith engages to accentuate the bassist’s every move, and then the leader uncorks a circular, mesmerizing bass vamp that anchors the song the rest of the way. Davis’ lean comping aptly sets up Malaby’s asides until the song gracefully breaks down. “Rockaway Beach” speaks to Formanek’s flair for a good, brawny groove and while there are splendid solos from Davis and Malaby, the leader leaves behind the biggest impact both in accompanying and lead roles.
After all the ambitious and sometimes spirited performances, As Things Do, ends with a soft landing. Smith’s vibraphone combines with Davis’ prepared piano to open the tranquil and collected “Gone Home,” which moves on to Malaby’s sax which is vulnerable and delicate here, perfectly acting out the sentiment of Formanek’s lovely piece.
There’s never been a time when Michael Formanek leads, composes and plays and doesn’t give the full extent of his vast capabilities. Once again leading a high-powered quartet, the names beside him might be different but the music is just as fresh, thoughtful and vigorous as ever.
As Things Do is out now, and can be purchased from Bandcamp.
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