Noteworthy Takeaways from “Unleashed”
Rather than give a formal review, here are some noteworthy takeaways from listening to Unleashed by Altin Sencalar.
- As the third album with Posi-Tone Records, Altin Sencalar presents a veteran trombone sound with solos that are dialed in and showcases a quickness with clarity in various improvisational settings.
- “Unleashed” races out of the gates. The vibraphone is a new twist to the Sencalar ensemble, as previous albums have collaborated with other instrumental setups.
- “Obsession” feeds off the previous track with a chilled open-road feel. A mixture of lyrical fluid that swims through the chords, always arriving at the necessary timbre to touch a nerve.
- “Forgiveness” strongly displays that veteran sound and beautifully blends with the airy/reedy sound of the sax.
- A tip of the hat to Sencalar’s mentor, Michael Dease, goes out on”Solid Gold”, the writer of this tune. Utilizing that signature Sencalar sound, the pedal range and jumps are confidently evident throughout the solo.
- “Buenaventura” is the slow-paced ensemble track that blends and harmonizes with handoffs between solos.
- “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” is a reimagined experience offering a unique vibe setting with the Soprano Sax, trombone, and well… vibes.
- “What’s Next?” is the culmination of an album that takes the listener through standards, arrangements, and original tunes. The final track offers a hip groove with a confident unknowing, that whatever is next will be a positive, continual exploration through the sonic journey of Altin Sencalar.
Personnel:
Altin Sencalar – trombone
Greg Tardy – tenor saxophone, clarinet
Bruce Williams – flute, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone
Behn Gillece – vibraphone
Boris Kozlov – bass
E.J. Strickland – drums
Track List:
1. Unleashed 05:13
2. Obsession 06:15
3. Forgiveness 05:40
4. Set Adrift 05:33
5. 17 West 07:53
6. Solid Gold 06:14
7. Buenaventura 05:37
8. Straight Street 05:05
9. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 05:52
10. What’s Next? 05:59
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Click Here to Learn More About Altin Sencalar
