November 21, 2007

DAVID OCCHIPINTI ****
Forty Revolutions Independent

You simply can’t beat the creative energy of a working jazz band, which is how guitarist/composer David Occhipinti has actually managed to one-up his excellent 2003 offering Intersection with the unrestrained exploration of Forty Revolutions. In an exquisite exercise in controlled chaos, Occhipinti steers his quartet through a seven-part suite that seamlessly shifts between moods from ambiguous ballads to outright dirges, often with inventive melodies. Standout jam “Mars” evokes a Miles in the Sky intersection of straight grooves and succulent swing, while “Femme Fatale” finds saxophonist Mike Murley navigating suggested changes and guitar noise, building the song to a conclusion that’s almost menacing. With ample space and a crystalline production, Forty Revolutions is reminiscent of the finest ECM releases. CB

back to reviews