Paul Beaudry and Pathways’ “Americas” brings music from far-off lands!
Title: Paul Beaudry & Pathways – Americas
Release: Soundkeeper Recordings SR4004
Performers: Paul Beaudry and company
“Music from the far-off lands of Suriname, Honduras, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, Argentina, Nicaragua and…Brooklyn, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Paul Baudery on bass, Tim Armacost on saxophone, Bennett Paster on piano and Tony Jefferson on drums”.
I can almost hear that introduction on stage before the magic begins. Except this is not a live performance but one that was recorded at the historic Osborne Auditorium in Rye, New York, using a two-mic setup. Known for its excellent natural acoustics, the building is a community cultural space that has been used for concerts, lectures, and other performances, and is notable for its architectural and musical heritage rather than being a commercial concert hall or recording studio.
Consistent with Soundkeeper Recording they are in true stereo without any overdubs, mixing, or compression. To maintain balance, I read that the musicians were moved around the stage, with the aim of creating a live feel to the music.
The overall sonic image is entirely different from most jazz albums, more open and realistic than with typical jazz sessions recorded with close mics, baffles, headphones and mixers. Audiophiles should look for sonic holography between and around their speakers throughout the album.
The album is available in a variety of formats. Americas is an engrossing, euphoric jazz album with top-notch audiophile credentials.
Paul Baudry has become a formidable presence in the jazz scene. He has worked with a vast array of artists, including Clark Terry, Grady Tate, Steve Turre, Cecil Bridgewater, Eddie Henderson, Roy Hargrove, and Jimmy Cobb. After migrating to New York from San Francisco, he formed Paul Beaudry & Pathways in 2010.
The group was sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs as a jazz ambassador to the world. Beaudry has played in 25 different countries and is on the faculty at the Teachers College at Columbia University.
The first song (“Maria”) originates from Suriname and employs a jaunty rhythm with a Latin swing. This is some nice, upbeat jazz and a great test for dynamics. Tim Armacost plays against the tight rhythm section with his saxophone before turning it over to Beaudry for a nimble solo that should get your feet tapping and in the mood for the rest of the album. Paster kicks in with a chord-driven run.
There is some folk-dance resonance in the album as the quartet shows off some cohesive patterns along with a fair amount of classical influence, such as on “El Panuelo De Pepa” with precise tempo and tight arrangement, a great gauge for Pace, Rhythm and Timing (PRaT).
Finally, on “D’ Leau” (a Haitian piece), you finally get to hear the ensemble play in a traditional jazz structure. Moving to Trinidad, “Every Time Ah Pass” delves into syncopated tempos and subtle pacing. Paster shines in a dynamic solo on the vintage Steinway (which has a graceful, elegant, tonal quality), countered by the sophisticated drumming of Tony Jefferson.
Most of the songs maintain a crisp pulse and reflect an organic framework that morphs into modern jazz. Paster contributes the lone original composition (“Harmonia Mundi”), which represents a stylistic transformation. An ethereal, flowing piano solo opens the number before the band joins in up-tempo mode with percussive accompaniment.
In closing, Americas is a mix of classical and jazz inflections in a tango-like breeziness as the quartet shifts to different styles that tap into the various cultures. It stands as a testament to the unity of diverse American musical traditions, the artistry of its performers, and the power of unadorned, high-resolution sound to preserve and share that heritage. It is a work that invites repeated listening — not only for its musical richness but also for the way it makes the listener feel as if they are “in the Osborn in New York”.
This album is truly Highly Recommended!
THE SOUND ADVOCATE
WHERE the MUSIC BEAT meets the AUDIOPHILE ELITE ! SUBSCRIBE BELOW!
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
