Recommended track(s) if you like: Gary Burton
The Claudia Quintet - "Just Like Him (Excerpt #1)" - Full Length = 6:37
A New Orleans shuffle rhythm, mournful clarinet and shimmering vibraphone, joined by accordion drones, develops into a twisting melodic theme, which is interrupted by an eerie, wailing exchange between clarinet and accordion before an acoustic bass reintroduces the pulse and the oblique, captivating melody returns.
The Claudia Quintet - "Opening (Excerpt #1)" - Full Length = 6:40
Layers of slow, mysterious drones from accordion, vibraphone and splash cymbals ease into a jaunty percussive pulse before the piece moves into “free” arrhythmic interplay between instruments. The stuttering, shimmering pulse is then reintroduced, while a lyrical clarinet improvisation weaves over and around it.
The Claudia Quintet - ""Arabic" (Excerpt #1)" - Full Length = 8:23
Sprightly minimalist patterns on vibraphone support a lyrical melody from the clarinet and accordion, which is extended with some nimble, impassioned improvisation, first from the clarinet and then from the vibraphone, before the piece comes to a quiet, serene conclusion.
The Claudia Quintet - "The Cloud of Unknowing (Excerpt #1)" - Full track: 06:08
Accordion and clarinet intertwine with a gentle, pensive melody; then the vibraphone enters with a lyrical third voice, joined by plucked acoustic bass and finally, a subtle percussive push from the drums.
The Claudia Quintet - "Adowa (for gra) (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 5:28
A honking saxophone riff and funky Latin percussion introduces an off-kilter theme first stated by the ensemble, with vibraphone taking the first solo spot before giving way to the accordion and then sax , after which accordion, sax, bass and drums indulge in some lively collective improvisation.
The Claudia Quintet - ""...can you get through this life with a good heart?" (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 07:38
A shrill, portentous note on clarinet heralds a somber, jagged theme, with silences between notes and a deep, distorted bass pulse creating an element of foreboding. In time, the song title’s question is perhaps answered in the affirmative, with acoustic bass and then drums providing some forward momentum as the clarinet, vibraphone and accordion end with a pensive but hopeful theme.
The Claudia Quintet - ""Arabic" (Excerpt #2)" - Full Length = 8:23
Sprightly minimalist patterns on vibraphone support a lyrical melody from the clarinet and accordion, which is extended with some nimble, impassioned improvisation, first from the clarinet and then from the vibraphone, before the piece comes to a quiet, serene conclusion.
The Claudia Quintet - "For Frederick Franck (Excerpt #2)" - Full Track = 07:56
A wistful, pensive opening melody from the accordion blends with a deep, sepulchral bass and moody, reflective interplay between vibraphone, piano and clarinet, propelled by subtle, understated drums.
The Claudia Quintet - "For Frederick Franck (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 07:56
A wistful, pensive opening melody from the accordion blends with a deep, sepulchral bass and moody, reflective interplay between vibraphone, piano and clarinet, propelled by subtle, understated drums.
The Claudia Quintet - "Drewslate (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 7:33
A lilting clarinet, vibraphone and accordion deliver a boppish, pleasantly off-kilter theme, supported by propulsive, kinetic drums and lively bass riffs. A sweet clarinet solo improvises on the theme, supported by pulsing minimalist patterns from the ensemble, and ending with some tricky time and tempo change and a mellow conclusion. Light, nimble and uplifting.
The Claudia Quintet - "Two Teachers (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 6:07
A gentle rhythmic riff played by accordion and vibes is pushed along by percussion, leading to a dreamy, melodic theme and variation, with solos taken by tenor sax and a restless, dissonant accordion before the ensemble restates the opening theme.
The Claudia Quintet - "Growth (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 2:22
Minimalist electric piano and treated slide guitar create a languid mood
The Claudia Quintet - "Two Teachers (Excerpt #2)" - Full Track = 6:07
A gentle rhythmic riff played by accordion and vibes is pushed along by percussion, leading to a dreamy, melodic theme and variation, with solos taken by tenor sax and a restless, dissonant accordion before the ensemble restates the opening theme.
The Claudia Quintet - "Limp Mint (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 7:52
A thoughtful opening duo between bass and vibes transitions to a wispy, abstract theme with a loping, mid-tempo rhythm, followed by a free section with cymbal crashes, shimmering vibraphone, adventurous chirping from the clarinet and pounding drums. The piece then closes with an elegant statement of the opening theme.
The Claudia Quintet - "Guarana (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 8:12
Soft background noises open into a lyrical theme for clarinet, followed by a dynamic groove from bass, drums and clarinet, and a nimble solo turn from the vibes, before clarinet and accordion restate the opening theme.
The Claudia Quintet - "Guarana (Excerpt #2)" - Full Track = 08:12
Soft background noises open into a lyrical theme for clarinet, followed by a dynamic groove from bass, drums and clarinet, and a nimble solo turn from the vibes, before clarinet and accordion restate the opening theme.
The Claudia Quintet - "Where's My Mint (Mint=President) (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 2:55
Shimmering, free-form melodic lines from vibes, electric guitar and electric piano are complemented by spooky electronic vocalizations.
The Claudia Quintet - "Boy with a Bag and His Guardian Elephant (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 2:44
The ensemble jumps into a lively, propulsive theme, with clarinet, accordion and vibes laying down interlocking minimalist patterns while bass and drums provide a rhythmic foundation.
The Claudia Quintet - "Minor Nelson (Excerpt #1)" - Full Track = 3:43
Heavy reverb guitar washes, various electronic treatments, bowed bass and mystery sounds create a queasy, gently disturbing listening experience.
