CD Review

Jamie Masefield’s Jazz Mandolin Project continues to push the boundaries of exploratory and improvised music to courageous levels of originality. Jungle Tango continues the tradition, travelling deep into a vast land of tribal rhythms, taking turns where no jazz based sound has yet to fully explore. Masefield pulls all the triggers on this recording, pushing his trusty mandolin to its most extreme limits along with an extended band that makes this one a true keeper. It encompasses various themes of trance, percussion, bass and piano never fully explored within the JMP. Engineered by John Siket( Dave Matthews Band, Phish) and recorded at Trey Anastasio’s barn in Vermont, each song captures a unique feel and sharp attitude. Jungle Tango is a 10-song effort, clocking in at a precise forty-six minutes and features along with Masefield: Danton Boller on upright bass and Ari Hoening on drums. Two guest musicians featured on this recording are Chris Lovejoy of the Charlie Hunter group on percussion and Gil Goldstein from prior Pat Metheny projects on piano and accordion, adding an enrapturing compositional element that provides the band its fullest sound to date.

The opener "Jungle Tango" blends elements of tribal music and tango into a fascinating driving force that immediately kicks the album into high gear. Four of the songs are part of a 25 minute long jam that developed on the first night of recordings; when separated they stand independent and strong but still provide the makings of a tasty jam. "At the Pershing" is a spectacular swing number dominated by the balanced and charming piano lines of Goldstein marking the song as the most accessible jazz number on the record. The mandolin leads and the piano bounce smoothly back and forth near the end -as if making love. This piece was inspired by jazz pianist legend, Ahbad Jamal’s record "But Not For Me, At the Pershing." and radiates sophistication atop righteous melody. "Oh yeah" is a simple groove song balanced by Boller’s consistent bass line; racking the tune to a hypnotic beat you’ll can’t help but clap to. Goldstein grabs the reins in "Reich’s Boogie" a foot tapping odyssey that gets your bootie shaking and is twice as hard addictive. "Pointillism" named after the style of French painting involving the painting of small dots to develop a larger picture, is just that. Masefield’s sharp and quick notes grant a sound of splatter and attack alongside Hoening’s intense drum rolls. "There’s a Pipe in the Cellar" is perhaps the darkest tune the band has laid out - a heavy tangle of madness incorporating sonic effects that croak and provides a hint of industrial musicianship.

The time is now to discover this band- if you haven’t already. The Jazz Mandolin Project have truly come full circle, incorporating all the diverse sounds that are relevant and captivating in today’s live music landscape into a brilliant recording. Jungle Tango enraptures and satisfies one’s taste of unadulterated improvised jazz to the extreme.