Lucas Pino's No Net Nonet – That's A Computer (2018)

Lucas Pino's No Net Nonet

Lucas Pino - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet

Alex LoRe - alto saxophone 

Andrew Gutauskas - baritone saxophone 

Mat Jodrell - trumpet

Nick Finzer - trombone 

Glenn Zaleski - piano 

Rafał Sarnecki - guitar

Desmond White - bass 

Jimmy Macbride - drums

That's A Computer

OUSIDE IN MUSIC 1814

By Adam Baruch

This is an album by American Jazz saxophonist/composer Lucas Pino recorded with his No Net Nonet ensemble, which includes the Polish (resident in NY) guitarist/composer Rafał Sarnecki. Chilean vocalist Camila Meza guests on two tunes. The album presents six original compositions, four by Pino and one each by Sarnecki and saxophonist Alex Lore and an additional short piece of unknown origin.

The nonet sounds almost like a small Big Band, mainly due to the intricate arrangements and extensive use of unisono phrasing, which is wonderfully executed throughout the album. Combined with the superb compositions, this album is a beautiful example of American Jazz brought up to date and aesthetically inspired, which sadly happens all too rarely lately. The music is just perfect, untouchable as a form of expression and needs absolutely nothing in addition to what it already offers, which is an événement exceptionnel indeed.

This music is simply too good to be described in words, sort of like attempting to dance architecture. Being fed new music constantly, I rarely get excited about an album, but this is a proverbial "something else". Elegant, sophisticated, lyrical, exciting… this music has an uplifting quality about it that literally "puts a spell on me".

If blind tested I would have probably gambled that this is a European ensemble, as the overall musical approach sounds similar to what the Vienna Art Orchestra and other European ensembles were doing (and still do), especially on those two tracks featuring Camila's vocals, which are simply sublime. But the entire album just kicks ass big time and is definitely one of the most exciting pieces of music that arrived on my desk lately. I surely have to explore Pino and his music and wholeheartedly advice all true music connoisseurs to do the same ASAP!