Late last month, music collective the Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet released its latest album to the masses in the form of Situation. The 14-song record is a unique offering that will find appeal among a very specific audience. That is proven throughout each of the songs that make up the album’s hour-long body. The songs in question blend elements of impressionist and freeform jazz with unique classical leanings to make the whole a presentation that the most devoted of the group’s audiences will appreciate alongside more art-minded individuals.
Situation, the third full-length studio recording from the Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet is a unique addition to this year’s field of new jazz records. As a matter of fact, there are points throughout the album that really make it something of a genre-defying album. Case in point is the early entry, ‘Sketchy.’ The use of the flute, harp, and vibraphone throughout this nearly five-minute composition blends modern impressionist classical leaning with the most subtle jazz style approach for a whole that is unquestionably unique to say the very least. At the same time that it is so intriguing, there is something about the song that makes the mystery and tension exhibited throughout the composition that one cannot help but listen to the song and thing. It is too bad that there are no liner notes to be had anywhere in this album’s packaging. That is because it would certainly be interesting to learn the background on this and all of the album’s songs.
Another example of what makes this record stand out comes late in the record in its title track. The song is a clear transition from the group’s take of the seventh movement of legendary composer Charles-Camille Saint-Saens’ timeless composition, Carnival of the Animals, ‘Aquarium.’ The gentle but still mysterious composition has been used countless times in movies and television, with even The Simpsons of all shows using it in an episode. The use of the vibraphone and flute here makes the transition seamless between songs. The solos throughout and the overall performances make the whole a work whose blend of free jazz and impressionist approach such that it too defies genres, making for a work of musical art that one must hear in order to appreciate.
Yet one more example of what makes Situation stand out among this year’s jazz (and honestly overall music) field comes even later in the album’s run in the form ‘Pines of Rome.’ The steel pedal and the equally subtle vibraphone here make the song stand out so much. As the saxophone line enters, it adds yet another unique layer to the whole, making for even more intrigue. The bird calls at the song’s final bars leads to an interpretation that perhaps the song is meant as representing someone walking through a sun-soaked forest. It would seemingly make sense. However, again, the lack of any liner notes in the packaging leaves that fully up to interpretation. When this song and the others examined here are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole therein makes Situation a musical work that is hardly the most comfortable presentation. Maybe that is the point, to make it something that forces listeners to really pay attention. To that end, the album becomes one of the most unique overall albums released so far this year that is certain to appeal to a very specific audience.
Situation, the latest full-length studio recording from the Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet, is not the easiest presentation for audiences to take in. It is a work that will appeal to the most devoted of the group’s listeners and to art-minded audiences in general. All three of the songs examined here make that clear. When they are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole therein make Situation a record that deserves to be heard at least once.
Situation is available now through Playon Recordings. More information on the album is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
Website: https://carlmichel.com
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