Description
Product Description
Contents: This latest work from Ben Wendel, one of the greatest saxophonists in contemporary jazz, features an innovative ensemble with four vibraphone players, including Joel Ross. A masterpiece that will overwhelm you with its immersive, exhilarating soundscape. [Track Listing] 7 tracks total 1. Clouds 2. Mimo 3. Olha Maria 4. Repeat After Me 5. Birds Ascend 6. Lonely One 7. [Japan Bonus Track] Floating Recorded January 16th & 17th, 2025 at The Bunker Studios (Brooklyn, NYC) Produced by: Ben Wendel Composed by: Ben Wendel (M-3 Antonio Carlos Jobim) Recording Engineer: Alex Conroy Mix Engineer: Steve Wood Mastering Engineer: Nate Wood Ben Wendel ? tenor saxophone, EFX Joel Ross ? vibraphone, marimba Simon Moullier ? vibraphone, chromatic balafon, EFX Patricia Brennan ? vibraphone, EFX Juan Diego Villalobos ? vibraphone, mallet station, percussion, EFX Ben Wendel's first studio album in three years is an incredibly innovative collaboration with four leading contemporary jazz vibraphonists. With a concept that could be called an "electroacoustic vision," effectively using effects, the album combines the marimba/balafon/percussion played by each player, along with a variety of mallet sounds, to construct a rich soundscape with a chamber music-like texture, resulting in a truly "masterpiece" ensemble album. Ben Wendel always introduces original ideas in his album production, expanding the possibilities of jazz. Ben Wendell has achieved a musical evolution backed by technical skill, with albums such as "Seasons" (2018), a duo project recorded with a band; "High Heart" (2020), which incorporated Michael Mayo into the ensemble; "All One" (2023), featuring multi-tracked saxophone recordings with renowned artists including C?cile McLaughlin Salvanto and Jos? James; his first solo leader album, a live recording at the Village Vanguard (2024); and "SOL" (2023), a project fusing music, dance, lighting, and sound. In this work, one is struck by Ben Wendell's keen insight and vision in focusing on the new generation of vibraphonists who have been gathering in NY in recent years. This sound was originally developed through residencies commissioned by The Jazz Gallery in 2023 and 2025. The sound of S? Percussion, known for collaborations with Vijay Iyer and others, was also a source of inspiration. Joel Ross is now recognized as one of the most important artists in the contemporary jazz scene, but the other vibraphonists are also noteworthy. Simon Murrie, who possesses microtonal precision and has participated in Ravey's albums, and won DownBeat magazine's Rising Star Award in the vibraphone category in 2023; Patricia Brennan, whose new album won DownBeat magazine's Record of the Year 2025 Critics' Choice Award, and who is an innovative player who makes full use of extended playing techniques; and Juan Diego Villalobos, a Venezuelan who has won a Latin Grammy and is currently active in NY. These are all players who are leading the scene. The album as a whole features Ben Wendel's exhilarating riffs, based on intricate compositions, which fit perfectly with the leaping phrases of the vibraphone, and the sounds of the marimba and balafon further add depth to the sound. Furthermore, Juan Diego Villalobos's percussion tightens the bottom end of the whole, further highlighting the soaring quality of the sound. Track 1 features a vibraphone interplay translated by the saxophone, Track 3 is a cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic, a Ben Wendell favorite, Track 4 is a self-cover from Kneebody's new album "Reach," Track 5 is influenced by UK's Kid Downes and Scotland's Aidan O'Rourke (LAU), and Tracks 6 and 7 stand out for their beautiful sonic qualities. The album is a compelling listen, unified by an immersive sound design. The title "BaRcoDe" is both the band name and the band's name, with "bars" representing all the instruments and "codes" symbolizing the new language these five are using to create something new. The name was chosen with the idea that diverse instruments, influences, and compositional directions are coming together to create something new, together with some of the scene's best young musicians. Media reviews and more: Ben Wendell's first studio album in three years is an incredibly innovative collaboration with four leading contemporary jazz vibraphonists. This is truly a "masterpiece" album, effectively utilizing effects while combining the marimba, paraphone, and percussion played by each member, along with a wide variety of mallet sounds, to construct a rich soundscape. (C)RS