KRIS ADAMS & PETER PERFIDO

AWAY

Jazzbird Records

Kris Adams, vocals; Bob Degen, piano; Andre Buser, bass; Peter Perfido, drums.

“Recording the music of guitarist and composer Mike O’Neil was a very unique musical experience.  When my long-time drummer friend, Peter Perfido, asked me to sing on this project, I jumped at the chance because I knew it was going to be special.  Mike was a dear friend and musical collaborator that Peter had worked closely with, playing jazz and improvised music, until his passing in August of 2016,” Kris Adams, the vocalist on this project, shared.

The first three compositions of this album are all composed by Michael O’Neil and are written with challenging melodic intervals that Kris Adams vocally handles with assuredness.  Her voice glide over the notes like oil on glass. She employs her wordless, long tones and the ability to control her breathing. This enables her ability to hold notes for long periods of time. You hear this on a song simply called “Here.”  Bob Degen is tender and compassionate when playing this tune.  His solo work occasionally reminds me of Keith Jarrett.  On a tune called “Anthem” Andre Buser offers a strong bass solo and Adams sings without lyrics, becoming a human horn. The bassist is quite renowned in Switzerland and is the director of a 14-piece salsa orchestra.  He also works with experimental jazz playing with a funk group called “Diet Bang.”

No newcomer to the business of jazz, in 2002, Kris Adams showed her affinity for choosing difficult, challenging songs to sing when she released her album “Weaver of Dreams” singing “The Peacocks.”

On a tune by Eric Schultz titled “I Remember Albert” Peter Perfido is featured on trap drums.  He opens the piece with a flurry of percussive expression.  When Bob Degen joins the party on piano, he plays what we call “outside,” improvising and stretching his creativity rubber band taunt. This piece is a duo of drums and piano, sometimes sounding quite experimental.

This talented quartet brings the music of Michael O’Neil to life, introducing the talented composer’s work to the world.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil