OPTION MAGAZINE 10/93 THE MARTY KRYSTALL SPATIAL QUARTET: Seeing Unknown Colors A satisfying debut from reedman Krystall, who plays tenor sax and bass clarinet. The leader is no youngster, having played for some time in bassist Buell Neidlinger's group, and appearing on record with a wide range of artists in the pop, jazz and even contemporary classical genres. Perhaps for that reason, he brings a relaxed confidence to everything he undertakes, and moves smoothly on this CD from Monk ("Criss Cross," "Humph") to Ellington ("Prelude To a Kiss") to a variety of originals, including three successful pieces inspired by songs of the Papago Indian tribe, of which his wife is a member. He is supported by Takumi lino on drums, Yasushi Yoneki on bass and Hugh Schick on trumpet. Krystall can play outside, inside and in between (listen to his flat-out but controlled blowing on the original, "Synapse"). He brings whatever a particular piece needs, transcending style in the service of the music. His harmonic sense on tenor betrays a Coltrane influence, but on the Ellington piece and several others, he demonstrates a gruff, breathy Iyricism worthy of Ben Webster. The younger Schick, on trumpet, has a fat, brassy sound reminiscent of Clifford Brown. He is also inventive, and works well with Krystall on ensemble passages and collective improvisatons. (MA, 4728 Park Encino Ln. #117, Encino, CA 91346)-Bill Tilland

CADENCE Vol. 20 No. 1 January 1994 THE MARTY KRYSTALL SPATIAL QUARTET, SEEING UNKNOWN COLORS, MO15A. Davy The Baby(Bavy) / Criss Cross /Song of Elder Brother After He Had Created the Wind and the Clouds /Hurph / Prelude to a Kiss / I'm Running to the Edge of theWorld / Mateo / Song of Elder Brother After He Had Created the Spirits of Man / Synapse / lKarmatose. (Also includes "In A Sentimental Mood" Shila Jordan vcl; Harvie Swartz,b) 54:08 Krystall, ts,bcl; Takumi Iino, d; Hugh Schick, Yasushi Yoneki, b. 5/90, Matsumoto,Japan Marty Krystall is probably best known for his collaborations with bassist Buell Neidlinger. For this quartet session, he has pined forces with Schick, with whom he has worked in Neidlinger's groups, along with a Japanese rhythm section. This is an energetic set comprised of onginals, Monk tunes, an Ellington cover, and arrangments of religious songs from his wife's tribe of Papago Indians from Southern Arizona. The spare ensemble sound benefits from the lack of piano, as the four attack the tunes with volatile abandon. Even the ballads have a dynamic edginess to them. Check out their hauntingly Spartan reading of Ellington's classic, with Krystall pulling out a bluesy Webster lope as he slides into the melody like a well-worn pair of shoes while Schick interjects pointed comments on muted trumpet.Indeed, much of the music is based around the melodies, toying with the rhythms with elastic abandon. "I'm Running to the Edge of the World" starts as a slow unison march, then slowly the four diverge as the bass runs off in one direction while the drums drop off the meter. This elicits leaping lines from Schick and Krystall as the two simultaneously tear into divergent solos that careen off each other, only to retum to the original theme. The two solo voices provide qood contrast. Schick's trumpet is smooth, full, and rich while Krystall's tenor has a huskier, gruffer edge, frequently jumping into plaintive cries. Iino and Yoneki are both musical players. Yoneki often utilizes mallets, emphasizing a melodic sense of his kit. Iino's bass sometimes bristles against the drummer's pulse, though he is fully able to dive into the propulsive rhythmic drive. The program is well balanced, with spluttering free-bop, hypnotic dirges, tight ensemble readings of Monk tunes, or the chamber balladry of "Karmatose" with a spellbinding opening bass solo leading into a quartet with Schick's silken trumpet acting as chilling foil to Krystall's woody bass clarinet. An extra attraction is an inclusion of a stellar duet rendition of "Sentimental Mood" by Sheila Jordan and Harvey Swartz from a recording by the duo on the same label. Seeing Unknown Colors presents Krystall as a strong player with a distinctive approach to ensemble playing resistant to easy categorization and is well worth checking out. -Michael Rosenstein

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