The second release (and first studio outing) from the second edition of Russ Gershon's
Either/Orchestra,
Afro-Cubism finds the legendary New England avant-garde big band tackling a Latin-influenced songbook. The ten-piece runs through six charts, mostly composed by tenor saxophonist Gershon, but also a cover of
George Harrison's "Don't Bother Me." The music is smooth and sultry, with effortless syncopated grooving from the rhythm section of
Rick McLaughlin, Harvey Wirht, and Vicente Lebron. With a great attention to detail, the harmony players weave intricate arrangements: Myriad minute calls and responses sound beneath the melodies, songs are passed from instrument to instrument, and the band generally breathes life into the tunes. And though the music isn't nearly as far-reaching as some of
the Either/Orchestra's earlier work, it is still deeply satisfying. It is a measure of the band's maturity that it resists the urge to slip into dissonant avant-gardisms, and -- instead -- serves the songs' grooves. That said, the thoughtfulness of the band is still prevalent, and several of the songs (such as "Yezamed Yebaed") could notably use a bit of a punch. ~ Jesse Jarnow