****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
What you won't hear are screeching solos, long accompanied passages of instrumental exploration, the ping pong of conversation - in fact, almost nothing strays from the exposition of Goldberg's pure tunes in their glory. And they are glorious, memorable tunes indeed. The leader's cagey approach here is to simplify in order to reveal;what is revealed is the complexity already inherent in the bare act of playing together. When he and bassist Trevor Dunn convene on their frequent unison thematic declamations, the nuances of phrasing and timing make for very exciting listening, as does Kenny Wollesen's well drum accompaniment. And while they're clearly looking to trim the fat, the ensemble does veer from the melodic material, too, albeit is an extremely controlled manner, like an especially terse form of free haiku. But even with all this going for it, Twelve Minor might seem if Goldberg's composition's themselves weren't so enticing, so winningly devised to feature his horn. If you like the trio Rob Sudduth - Kenny Wollesen - Trevor Dunn that you have even heard in "JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS" ( inspired by frank Sinatra ), you will enjoy "Twelve Minor" ( inspired by "no deus nisi deus" would say The Dunn of Mr Bungle ). But the Dunn of Goldberg plays a Melodic, angular, dark and woody (free?) jazz. They join forces in a fine and varied program of original compositions for clarinets and/or bass clarinets. Their swinging sextet is completed by longtime Goldberg collaborators Trevor Dunn (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums)and by new girls Carla and Miya. So why not five stars ? because Carla Kihlstedt -violin- and Miya Masaoka - koto - seem no to be used to exploring their instrument.Excuse me for my english, I am french If you like this CD, try to listen to Max Roach. There are many differencies between Goldberg and Roach but both try and try until they try once again.
