Patrick Bartely might just be the most exciting alto saxophonist I have ever heard. I would even go as far to say that he rescued the instrument from a lifetime of me avoiding it. Despite my fond and foundational memories of school band, the ubiquity of alto saxophonists among my fellow bandmates had near enough tired me out. I had heard enough of the alto sax… or so I thought. Its overly sweet tone in comparison to its smoky cousin, the tenor sax, and my association with the instrument and concert bands had led me to believe that the alto was just the beginners sax – a warmup before taking on the real thing. Of course, I am conveniently ignoring the revolutionary role that alto had in establishing bebop (sorry Bird). However, this was all before I had heard Bartley.
The Dreamweaver is the debut and exclusive album from Tokyo-based group Patrick Bartley’s Dreamweaver. It showcases the ferocity and gentleness of Bartley’s approach. Fronting the group, he delivers his inordinately dynamic playing style across 11 tracks (there are 12 but he doesn’t play in ‘Lucidity’). The whole band is explosive, and not only do they offer generous support for Bartley’s unique voice to come through but they push through themselves with mesmerising guitar solos, transcendent keys lines, and lively drum patterns.
If I was asked to point someone toward one album that gives me encouragement and anticipation for the future of jazz music, I’d throw them in the direction of this album. Furthermore, if you are an anti-alto activist like I once was, then go into this one prepared to be proven wrong. Or don’t; the result will be the same either way.
Waxing Lyrical 