Tim Garland: Change of Season

Paul Bollenback also contributes significantly to English woodwind player Tim Garland’s new album, Change of Season (Sirocco), which offers a considerably different setting. Garland, who has been performing recently with Chick Corea’s Origin as well as with his own groups, plays excellent, Brecker-ish tenor, along with soprano and bass clarinet, in a program of his own compositions supplemented by Corea’s “Inner Space” and John Coltrane’s “Tunji.” Utilizing Bollenback’s acoustic and electric guitars, as well as his guitar synthesizer, plus John Patitucci’s acoustic and electric basses and Gary Novak’s drum set in various combinations with his own horns, the composer has created a sound palette that’s novel and absorbing while remaining easily accessible. From the fast, metrically complex “Piece in Our Time” to the slow, atmospheric “First Rain,” Garland’s compositions require a high level of skill and sensitive interaction on the part of the performers and they all meet the challenge. Extraordinary compositions/arrangements and well-integrated, top-level improvisations-the superb Bollenback can be out-of-this-world ethereal or down-and-dirty earthy-make this an especially satisfying recording.

Originally Published April 1, 2005