ALAIN BRADETTE

TO MY LOVED ONES

Quantum Gravity Records

Alan Bradette, saxophones/EWI/composer; Zach Muth, guitar; Tal Cohen, acoustic & electric piano; Thomas Milovac, acoustic & electric bass; Caleb Montague, drums.

The very first tune on this new release by Alain Bradette time-travels me back to the Coltrane years and the music of the mid-fifties and 1960s. In the same breath, this tune “Pandemic” captures the frightening period of that COVID 19 epidemic, the one that infected the world population. Bradette’s original music reflects an uncertainty and frustration that surrounded that peculiar time in world history. Over a million Americans died as a result of that pandemic. His composition is a flashback to a time in Alain Bradette’s life that he will never forget. Many of us will never forget.

His saxophone delivery mirrors the energy and fight-or-flight attitude of human beings who were placed on lockdown across the globe. Tal Cohen’s piano is an integral and energetic part of this arrangement. Caleb Montague’s drums stir the pot and spice the rhythm. I enjoyed Milovac’s bass, that echoed the melody with a strong rhythm line.  I played this tune three times in a row, soaking up all the beauty and freedom exhibited in this spirited production.

Most of the songs on this album were inspired by events in the composer’s life. One such tune is the very beautiful “Butterfly Angel (for Courtney)” that was written for a young woman whose life ended far too soon. This ballad mirrors the loss and sadness that filled Alain Bradette’s heart. He let his emotions blow from the bell of his saxophone, like tears in a rainstorm. Thomas Milovac’s acoustic bass offers a strong foundation for Cohen’s tinkling piano keys to build upon. Bradette’s sensuous saxophone sings his story with sincerity and care. His tenor saxophone solo at the end of this song is impressive and full of emotion.

“Song for Katya” was inspired by his Brazilian wife. This lilting Latin arrangement features another saxophone sound played by Bradette, who plays a plethora of instruments on this recording. Also, I hear and appreciate the guitar embellishments of Zack Muth.  Each of Bradette’s original compositions celebrates his talents on a multitude of woodwind instruments and the EWI. His talents are quite impressive as a player, and also as a composer.

A taste of contemporary jazz is reflected in the only song he did not write titled, “Lunatic” that was penned by his friend Fady Karam.  Bradette’s tune, “Flying High (for Ian)” is also quite contemporary and dances around the edge of fusion with its electronic instrumentation.

Here is an album meant to be a musical dedication to Alain Bradette’s family, his lifelong friends, and an exploration into incidents that left lasting impressions on the musician’s heart and soul.

His original music develops with songs he has created for this project. They are gathered like ornate and rare flowers. The CD jacket becomes a crystal vase that embodies the bouquet. I enjoyed his fragrant music that spans the spectrum of straight-ahead jazz, Latin infused arrangements, lovely ballads (like “Beautiful Brown Eyes”), and traditional jazz, colorfully reimagined with contemporary arrangements.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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