The association of trumpet and drums is as old as civilization itself. Ancient instruments of both proclamation and celebration, they have evolved together and influenced the development of musical language in tandem. Likewise, throughout the modern history of improvised music, duos of horn players and drummers have stretched the limits of sound and form, and reached for an elemental approach to spontaneous musical conversation. With Language, drummer Matt Mayhall and trumpeter Dan Rosenboom pay homage to this rich tradition championed by many of their respective heroes, and present a stunning duo debut.
Mayhall and Rosenboom have been close collaborators for well over a decade, and through a variety of recording projects and ensembles have developed a refined sense of spontaneous communication, on full display here. Both have been internationally recognized for their individual releases. Indeed, they each released acclaimed albums earlier this year featuring some of the modern jazz world’s premiere performers. Mayhall’s trio album Fanatics features woodwind ace Chris Speed, and guitar legend Jeff Parker, and Rosenboom’s mammoth Absurd In The Anthropocene features a long list of heavyweights, including Vinnie Colaiuta, Tim Lefebvre, David Binney, Gary Novak, Zach Danziger, Jeff Babko, and many more.
On Language, Mayhall and Rosenboom bring their music home, so to speak. The pair first began playing together as a duo in 2007, and through their various exploits have landed on a sound that is utterly personal and distinct. Weaving through both compositions and free improvisations, they achieve a remarkable fluidity through a keen understanding of restraint and dynamism. The album opens with “Overt,” a boldly improvised overture, before launching into the romping Mayhall original, “Longview, TX.” They also weave beautifully between completely acoustic playing and dense electronics. On “Nuclear Lemons,” Rosenboom digs into the swirling and distorted sound world of his pedal effects, only to bring it back to an incredibly delicate and tender acoustic feel on “A Small Good.” “Parallax” is a Rosenboom original from the group’s 2007 inception, where Mayhall’s fiery drums unfold dramatically as Rosenboom spins a lengthy continuous melody. “Nothing Comes On Tuesday” harkens to band’s roots in punk and grunge, with Rosenboom’s pedals blaring through heavy distortion. “Polychrome” serves as a spastic, exciting fanfare that leads seamlessly into the up-tempo Rosenboom burner, “Vortex.” “On The Way” recalls an ancient feel with distant drums, as the band marches forward with relentless creativity, before they close with the enigmatic and pensive ballad, “Plum Child.”
Throughout Language, the listener is keenly aware of a unified sense of purpose and an almost ESP-like connection between Mayhall and Rosenboom. The great horn-and-drums duos of the free jazz canon are present like ghosts, as this pair pushes forward toward their own vision for the idiom. Language is an album for both enjoyment and contemplation — there is a lot to unpack in the concept and presentation, but the flow across this beautiful record is enticing and exciting. Orenda Records is proud to present this powerful recorded debut by this pair of modern trailblazers.
