Bass World Rosetta review, Summer 2007
Stephan Crump's Rosetta certainly is a pleasant surprise. From the CD title one might expect to spin the disc and hear classic jazz - thinking, of course, of the old Earl Hines standard of the same name. Instead you'll hear Crump's composition "Rosetta" along with 10 other, decidedly non-standard, originals. The music herein is possibly best described as art music, a little vague, but why pigeonhole?
The instrumental lineup of two guitars and bass is a winner. All those strings create a warm, pleasing sound, both blending well with one another, and allowing distinct voices, with said distinction aided significantly be the different guitars, one acoustic and one electric.
The music consists of composed and improvised sections, and some stunning counterpoint. The harmonies are jazz-influenced as are many of the melodic lines, and most of the feels are straight eighth. Nearly all of the tracks feature very laid-back, cool music, and "oddly beautiful" was a phrase that came to my mind during many of the songs.
Take, for example, "Carrousel en Verre". This melancholy offering is lovely, but also intriguing, and maybe even a little creepy, like a Twilight Zone ventriloquists's dummy. Oddly, beautiful, see? With melodies and harmonies that don't always go where one expects, Crumps' compositions are refreshing and hold the interest of the listener.
The aforementioned counterpoint figures prominently in several of the songs. One example is "Tag", which has the three players chasing each other in the musical game. "Were It a Loss" also has some wonderful, fugue-like counterpoint among the three musicians.
"Kudzu" is a little funky, a little spacey, and wild, growing in all directions like the vine it was name after. "Rosie" is a delight, with its country twang, courtesy of the feel laid down by the bass and the acoustic guitar, as well as the steel guitar-like sounds from the electric guitar. Pop the top on a PBR and set a spell...this track, the sixth of eleven, is loose and fun, and also contains the first actual bass solo, which is beautiful - sometimes the simple, open tunes are the most difficult to play well, as many weaknesses can be exposed, but Crump and company prove their mettle. Many of the tempos are medium, and the feels are generally mellow, so it was a good boost to hear the quick, spinning top of a composition, "Atanarjuat".
Whether accompanying or soloing Crump is terrific. He plays pizz and arco (though predominantly the former) equally well, he lays down strong grooves, solidly provides his part of the counterpoint, and though he plays only a few solos, all are impeccable. This trio is three equal parts, no one instrumentalist is featured over the others, and all are excellent musicians, their individual and collective inventiveness secures the success of the project.
Looking for something a little different? Check out Stephan Crump's Rosetta, and remember: oddly beautiful is a good thing.