On their self-titled second release, the jazz fusion trio led by Chicago-born pianist Adam Kromelow and rounded out by bassist Raviv Markovitz and drummer Jason Burger comes up with a collection of nine original songs penned by Kromelow and arranged by the group. The album kicks off with “Savior Complex,” which begins with a keyboard-pounding, rhythmically strong intro, and then evolves into a mellower mood. Markovitz contributes a fluid solo halfway through the tune, and then the tune picks up again. “The Experiment” is an uptempo tour de force played in double time. The tune’s style is reminiscent of Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara, who also tends to write in quick tempos.
“Fly” has a bit of a Brazilian feel as its beat has a bit of a samba vibe. “Hard Hearts,” on the other hand, has more of a slow blues tempo, allowing the bandleader to stretch, and allow his notes to vibrate a bit longer. Another highlight is “Trust Your Instincts,” a tune that begins with a lively beat and then suddenly switches tempos toward the middle. This young trio still brings forth many surprises and deserves to get a wider audience. (Ernest Barteldes)
Cool Aid: A Review of Situation Chicago 2 The album does an outstanding job of bringing home the staggering sonic and stylistic range we deny ourselves when we return too often to the same genre well.
