Oyate: Soul-Jazz

With a captivating big-horn sound and “live,” improvisation-centered feel rarely heard on today’s recordings, Oyate has created a special album in Soul-Jazz (disques lost/chart records LC 1012; 65:17). A hard-working sextet led by Swiss bassist/composer Christophe Chambet, Oyate has fun with offbeat, bustling tunes like “Another Day,” splashed with the brilliant tones of brass and acoustic piano, and the bassy, rock-to-fusion “Big Unit,” which though somewhat abstract, is based on key melodic refrains. The group takes off in adventurous directions which recall Australia’s talented brassy band, The Catholics. Where “So Close” finds rockabilly guitar riffs leading into a mute-horn jazzy piece, the “Angels are Talking” pits a gorgeous, majestic singing trumpet solo by Ron Di Lauro, over light piano, for a majestic feel. The dirge-tempo, slow burning “Hadjafat Blues” is another highlight, with its wailing brass section. This unique independent release is one worth searching for.

Originally Published June 1, 1998