MIKE ECKROTH

NEW PATHS

Truth Revolution Recording Collective

Michael Eckroth, piano/keyboards/Fender Rhodes/composer/arranger/co-producer.

Pianist, composer, arranger of all tunes on this project, Mike Eckroth has co-produced it along with Eneias Xavier. They present his new album that was recorded in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  It features an ensemble he calls the Minas Messengers.

“In 2023, I received a grant from the Fulbright Association to engage in a writing/performing/teaching residency. …I searched for a way to deepen my connectivity with Minas culture while fulfilling my proposition, … six months, composing and constructing the basis of a new band and musical project,” Mike Eckroth wrote in his liner notes.

His concept is based on the Congado traditions of Minas Gerais, a century-old culture with a strong sense of tradition and community. It blends Portuguese, African and indigenous influences.  It’s one of Brazil’s most fascinating regions and famous for being part of the historic 18^th century gold rush.  Needless to say, with that kind of background and musical influences from Brazil and Africa, I was expecting an album full of percussive drive, energy and spirit.

The first two songs on Eckroth’s album are very fusion oriented.  He opens with the title tune, where the multi-rhythms are clearly propelling his laid-back melodic structure. The bass line of the piano invites us into Eckroth’s world, steadfast and demanding. The 6/8 feel of the drums lays the groundwork, while Eckroth’s piano flies like a happy bird atop the busy production. David Fernandez adds flute and soprano saxophone to the mix.

This is followed by a tune he titled “Saideiras.”  It’s both contemporary and fusion, which surprises me because it seems to back away from the album theme.  Track #3 opens with a chant that sounds quite African to open his composition called “Congado Novo.” Then comes the pretty chords and fluidity of melodic overdubbing.  It completely changes the complexion of these cultural tones.

The resulting music of this project is meant to be a blend of Congado’s folkloric rhythms. Eckroth has added jazz improvisation and Brazilian popular music influence he experienced during his travels. He offers his own unique compositions, influenced by this vivacious culture, including Minas Gerais.

I find his compositions beautiful and melodic, also quite contemporary in their production. But do they embrace or mirror the excitement and spirituality I find when hearing both Brazilian and African cultural music?  On “Congado Novo” he moves from spiritual, cultural chants to spa music, with a brief percussive solo at the fade.

This album made me go in search of the original Minas Gerais culture music. Everything I heard was vibrant, energetic happy music. Eckroth captures some of that cultural beauty on his composition “Canto 1.”

“Inward Flow” is one of my favorite songs on this project.  It captures Mike Eckroth’s style and piano mastery and features an impressive guitar solo by Magno Alexandre.   Eneias Xavier shines on his bass solo.

For the most part, this production of the interior of Brazil and its special culture is very laid-back and lacks the spontaneity and excitement that African and Brazilian cultures usually bring to their music.

This is not to say Mike Eckroth’s music is not well-produced or well-written. However, when you promise you have been inspired by people and a culture, then I am looking forward to hearing that reflection in both composition and production.

MIKE ECROTH BAND: Michael Eckroth, piano/keyboards/Fender Rhodes/composer/arranger; Eneias Xavier, acoustic & electric bass/co-producer; Cyrano Almeida, drum set/percussion; Magno Alexandre, acoustic & electric guitar; Toninho Horta, acoustic guitar; Talles Bibiano, vocals/percussion; Sachal Vassandani & Natalia Coimbra, voice; David Fernandez, flute/soprano saxophone/clarinet; Mauro Rodrigues, flute/bass flute; Sergio Danilo, clarinet; Vinicius Mendes, soprano saxophone; Silas Prado, alto saxophone; Bernardo Fabris, tenor saxophone; Breno Mendonca, soprano & tenor saxophone.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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