Matthew Golombisky's Cuentos - Volume 3 (EARS&EYES RECORDS November 16, 2018)

Matthew Golombisky’s Cuentos represent the compositional culmination of his experiences living in cities throughout the world. His experiences of the musical and cultural environments of each city awaken different directions for inspiration to be opened and explored as short stories in the form of simplistic soundscapes. These Cuentos (the Spanish word for ‘short stories’) are an ongoing project in which Golombisky works with close musical cohorts from each city to convey the stories of a unique musical geography. The first release (September 2017) showcased in-depth explorations of musical friendships developed in both Oakland (Volume 1), where he lived for one year, and Chicago (Volume 2) where he lived for more than three years. 

In this third volume, he has returned to Chicago to work with a longtime collaborator, drummer Quin Kirchner, which marks the first volume with drum set. Quin and Matthew have been working together in various groups, ranging from rock/pop to straight-ahead, chamber, electro and free jazz formats since meeting in New Orleans 17 years ago. After working together for several years in New Orleans and after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, they were able to continue their work together in Chicago until Golombisky moved to Buenos Aires after stints in Rochester NY and Oakland CA. They continue their music with free jazz trio Pedway (with Caroline Davis) and the occasionally re-emergence of Golombisky’s Tomorrow Music Orchestra. 

Each of the Cuentos is concise, intentional aural plots utilizing a group of trusted musicians. The compositional structures are meant to be simple, and showcase the improvisational precision (not virtuosity) of each performer, conveying a modest concept with fluidity, clarity, and focus. (Usually,) even the lengths of the pieces represent a conceptual modesty. Most pieces range from three to six minutes in length; single ideas presented, explored, and left to the listener for reflection. The Cuentos are here and gone before a single musician is able to explore every possibility of the story. The mood of each piece can vary, but usually remains with one singular musical gesture, goal, or feel. In this way, they humbly encourage that the music stays within the realm of a short story format, and doesn't develop into a full novel (so to speak). 

James Davis - trumpet

Dustin Laurenzi - tenor sax

Naomi Moon Siegel - trombone

Matthew Golombisky - bass

Quin Kirchner - drums

1.Cuento #13

2.Cuento #14

3.Cuento #15

4.Cuento #16

5.Cuento #17

6.Cuento #18

7.Cuento #1 (V3 bonus)

8.Cuento #5 (V3 bonus)

Recorded by Nick Broste at Constellation in Chicago IL, USA

Mixed and mastered by Florencio Justo at Estudio Doctor F. in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Album concept/design by Matthew Golombisky

Original art by Isabella Golombisky

Naomi Moon Siegel - Shoebox View (2016)

Label: Break Open Records

Source: Cdbaby

Genre: Modern Creative Jazz

GAB's Rating: ★★★★☆

"Shoebox View, Siegel's marvelous debut, is one that the record companies should be kicking themselves over, for the missed opportunity to bring a fresh talent to light.

"Siegel has found her voice. On this sprawling album that employs thirteen musicians in addition to the leader, the trombonist explores folk-like melodies and what she describes as "fantastical landscapes." A trombone seems an odd choice for a melodic lead in a folk song environment, with its deep tone and sonic heft, but Siegel surrounds the muscular brass with a silvery, moonlight-on-the-tree-tops backdrop on the opener, "Jeanine's Joy."

"Recorded in Seattle, Costa Rica, and Brooklyn over a nine month period, half the music here is highly produced, the other half is recorded essentially live, with little or no studio tweaking. That said, it is a remarkably cohesive statement. Siegel works the studio like an old pro on the previously mentioned opener. She's added intricate effects on "Casa de Aves." Throughout Wurlitzers sparkle, synthesizers paint gentle washes of pastels, world percussion percolates. In a way, Siegel seems to be doing—in a folk song, world beat, African rhythms arena—what Miles Davis and Teo Macero did with funk and acid jazz on On The Corner (Columbia Records, 1972), with, in Siegel and company's case, a gentler, more patient, and more melodic mode. The sounds around her may change, but the trombone remains a constant—a powerful yet gentle voice in the middle of a vibrant world community."
- By DAN MCCLENAGHAN AllAboutJazz.Com

"Shoebox View has the intimacy of a book of poetry or a singer-songwriter album except the main lyrical voice is my trombone. Reaching beyond the influences of my jazz background, this music is inspired by the natural world, family, folk music, indie pop and West African rhythms. In a culture that predominantly values things being bigger, faster, brighter, Shoebox View is a call to slow down. This music cinematically creates space for listeners to be with their own hearts, minds, feelings. It is a celebration of introspection, patience, listening, nature, community and authentic expression. Each song represents a time, a story, a place, a feeling."
 Naomi Moon Siegel

1. Jeannine's Joy
2. It's Not Safe
3. Casa De Aves
4. Ukelady
5. Punta Uva
6. Ever Yes
7. Brown, Grey, Orange, Green
8. Electric Flower
9. Mama Sanchaba
10. Mañana, Mañana

Naomi Moon Siegel: trombone (all), piano (5, 7, 9, 10)
Sean Woolstenhulme: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo (2, 4, 5, 6 ,7, 9, 10)
Wayne Horvitz: organ, piano Wurlitzer (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
Eric Eagle: drums, percussion (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
Keith Lowe: upright bass (6, 8)
Alex guy: viola (3, 6, 8, 9)
Ivan Arteaga: alto saxophone (3, 5)
Michael Coleman: Wurlitzer, synthesizers (3, 5)
Thione Diop: percussion (1)
Jefferson Rose: electric bass (1)
Andrew Vait: syntesizers (1)
Jacques Willis: beat production (3)
Greg Sinibaldi: baritone saxohone (6)
Steve O'Brien: trumpet (9) 

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