SEBASTIAN SCHUNKE - MOUVEMENT (2004)
Sebastian Schunke Piano, musical director,
background vocals
Felipe Cabrera Cardenas Bass, background vocals
Lukmil Perez Herrera Drums, background vocals
Orlando Poleo Congas, small percusion, background vocals
Anders Nilsson Electric guitar, background vocals
Mario Morejon Hernandez "El Indio" Trumpet, background vocals
Peter Brainin Tenor & soprano sax, flute, background vocals
Michael Haves Electronics on 2/5/6
Olvido Ruiz Castellanos Vocals
Yodfat Miron Viola
Johannes Hentschel Cello
Mouvement
Abschied
Herbst
Zwiespalt
Reminders
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Sebastian Schunke’s second CD, Mouvement, released in 2004, continues along the same lines as his debut CD Symbiosis, released in 2002. On Mouvement he further explores his classical roots and composes songs that are complex, yet easily listened to. The style of music is in the Latin jazz groove, his band Orchestral Expression is made up of a diverse group of musicians that span the world. On this recording we see the addition of a string section, viola and cello by Yofat Miron and Johannes Hentschel respectively. The addition of vocals by Olvido Ruiz Castellano also adds a new dimension to the compositions, the CD is comprised of six songs, four of which are composed by Mr. Schunke. There are some exceptional instrumental breaks, the trumpet playing of Mario Morejon Hernandez “El Indio” is one of the highlights of the recording.
The title track “Mouvement” introduces first the pianist Sebastian Schunke to the listener in a funky repetitive rhythm and is quickly followed by the band, with rapid fire drumming by Lukmil Perez Herrera and the blazing trumpet of El Indio burning off riffs of pleasant tone and timbre. The song develops into a Latin flavored salsa tune with Spanish vocals performed by Ms. Castellano, a fine vocalist who sings in a free form style, very free spirited with her phrasing and with a tone of quiet solitude she paints a melancholy picture of comfort and pleasure. The song incorporates the sound of the strings into the tune creating an other worldly sound, a short foray into this chamber music groove prior to returning to the introductory melody and a nice trumpet break before ending tightly.
The next song “Abschied” a Schunke composition comes in at just over seventeen minutes in length, the liner notes indicate the song is dedicated to those individuals who have the gift of taking their time, played at varying tempos this song provides a lot of room for the musicians to let loose. The song has a little bit of everything, starting as a chamber music group with strings and flute and rapidly progressing to the funky Latin inspired groove the band is so comfortable with. The song has wondrous trumpet playing by El Indio. The song also has highlight moments with the guitar playing of Anders Nilsson during some of the softer, funkier breaks. The saxophone work of Peter Brainin is featured to fine effect, a smooth flowing inspired player. The fine bass playing of Felipe Cabrera Cardenas is ever present on this roller coaster tune of emotions.
This is another first rate work of art by this fine European composer and leader, Sebastian Schunke, of the Orchestral Expression on their CD Mouvement. Well worth a listen for the strength of compositions, the excellent musianship by the many musicians who are featured on the recording and are not common household names in North America, even in the jazz field, as well as for the over all joyous feel present on this Mouvement.
