Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Peter Hedrich: New Hope
Peter Hedrich: New Hope
ByWhigham does play a central role in the enterprise as composer of five numbers and soloist on Hedrich's trio of compositions: with Sammel on "Utopia," alongside Hedrich (and others) on "Lawyer's Blues" and "Hope and Tears." Hedrich's feature, "Going Home" (on which he does not improvise) is listed as "trad." but is actually the largo from Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, From the New World. Elsewhere, the mood is similarly subdued and introspective, with three exceptions: "Lawyer's Blues," Wilton Gaynair's "The Healer" and Whigham's "Absolutely Knot." Needless to say, they rank as the album's high points while giving the rhythm section (Hauptmann, bassist Nicolai Amrehn, drummer Kevin Nasshan) some rhythmic red meat into which to sink their collective teeth.
Jazz enthusiasts may skip Track 1, as there is no jazz to speak of on Whigham's ethereal "Bodge" (vocal effects courtesy of Veronika Anna Morscher) and go directly to Track 2, "The Healer," a fast-moving swinger with bright solos by Hedrich, tenor Sammel and Hauptmann. Whigham also wrote "Hope," "Owa Tagu Siam" and "Chant," each of which pursues a rather even-tempered path toward its destination, redeemed in part by impressive group interaction and capable ad libs by Hedrich, Sammel, Hauptmann and Amrehn. There is a "bonus" track, the standard "I'll Be Seeing You," whose charming melody is neatly hidden until Morscher's vocal, which gives rise to the sentiment that she should have quit while ahead on "Bodge." Although there isn't a whole lot on New Hope that would arouse many listeners' enthusiasm or enliven their emotions, it merits no less than three stars for solid musicianship.
Track Listing
Bodge; The Healer; Hope; Owa Tagu Siam; Absolutely Knot; Chant; Going Home; Utopia; Lawyer’s Blues; Hope and Tears; I’ll Be Seeing You.
Personnel
Peter Hedrich
trombonePeter Hedrich: trombone; Jiggs Whigham: trombone; Tim Sammel: saxophones; Felix Hauptmann: piano; Nicolai Amrehn: bass; Kevin Nasshan: drums; Veronika Morscher: vocal (1, 11).
Album information
Title: New Hope | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Mons Records