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The concept behind Swallow's `Deconstructed' is to take familiar chord sequences and reconstruct them with new melodies; a tried and tested method of jazz composition dating back to the early days of be-bop and beyond.
`Running in the Family', based on the chords of the Louis Armstrong hit `Basin Street Blues', opens with solo Swallow, pre-empting a part calypso, part montuno melody. Chris Potter solos before Mick Goodrick creates one of his most defined statements in recent years. `Babble On' flies headlong into a Ryan Kisor feature, the 24-year old (at the time of this recording) trumpeter showing himself to be a developing voice on the instrument. Potter takes a more mature chorus before the two men lock horns for the out.
`Another Fine Mess' is a slinky Latin number, nicely harmonised with congruent solos from all concerned. Swallow and underrated drummer Adam Nussbaum provide witty and creative support throughout. The inscrutable `I Think My Wife Is A Hat' opens with a real neat little solo from Swallow in guitar trio format, before the tune opens into a theme reminiscent of a 1970s situation comedy. Goodrick and Nussbaum maintain a subtle sizzle under Kisor's muted and understated trumpet. Nussbaum moves to a rivet cymbal as the solo builds but still manages to maintain the mood of the piece. The tune is made for Goodrick, who solos beautifully, making full use of supportive interjections from the horns.
`Bird World War' sounds like a tribute to Charlie Parker, it's melody carrying all the hallmarks of a classic Parker head; speed, extended harmonies, rapidly moving chords and a `flying by the seat of your pants' sensibility throughout the solos, a welcome respite from the safety and sobriety of the recent crop of conservative jazz acts. Even the relatively demure Goodrick stomps on a distortion pedal for his chorus. Like most early be-bop, this tune is over almost before it starts.
`Bug In A Rug' is fun and `Lost In Boston' quirky if not `wonderful'; great solos by Kisor and Goodrick in the latter tune. `Name That Tune' is a fast swinger, sharp in execution if not intent. `Viscous Consistency' is a dirge but not in a negative. It lops along like an overweight dancer, achieving a state of grace in spite of itself. The cds closer, `Deconstructed', is a carefully delivered construct, bluesy in tone but otherwise fairly idiosyncratic.
Overall a strong cd, like much of Swallow's stuff, fresh and original in tone and texture. Also, again a Swallow aesthetic preference, this is a band cd not a bass soloists cd.
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