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Vattel Cherry’s BassRespänse - Review
By Alan Jones, One Final Note

"Men must not only be dissatisfied; they must be so dissatisfied they will act." This quote from ex-slave and revolutionary Denmark Vessey was the inspiration for bassrespänse, a contrabass quartet organized by Vattel Cherry. Cherry has always been an open thinker, as is most evident in his work with iconoclastic saxophonist Charles Gayle. Not many would attempt the daunting task of organizing a bass quartet, much less have the acumen to make it successful. Such an arrangement can be either to fulfill a vision or to rise to a challenge. To Cherry, the reward comes from his own dissatisfaction and the challenge itself.

Following research in Baltimore, Cherry found three other bassists--fellow East Coasters Alan Lewine, Jane Wang, and David Kaczorowski--to complete the quartet. He lucked out. Not only are they capable technicians, but wonderfully gifted composers, as is demonstrated in the music. The quartet is extended on two tracks by vocalist Marjani Dele and the saxophone team of Benjamin Tomassetti (alto) and Daniel Powell (tenor).

Following a brief improvised intro, Lewine begins "Lisofall" with a slow, straight riff in 4/4 time, with Jane Wang bowing a dissonant melody. The tune jumps to punkish double time and, upon returning to the slower head, Wang launches a gloomy arco solo. Cherry follows with rattling pizzicato lines. By the second track, we become accustomed to each bassist's tone and their panned orientations in the mixing. The orientation is important in deciphering the voices on "Louis Devaraux," a poem recited by Dele that is spoken over four sets of bowed strings for a large part of the track. Elsewhere we get spontaneous improvisation, as on Cherry's "Baltimore Weather," where the group employs harmonic effects near the bridges of their instruments for trickling water sounds. On every selection, the group relentlessly explores the tonal palette for suitable contrasts. The basses walk, thump, shimmer, ring and rattle; and the music is surprisingly tasteful, considering the artillery being used.

Obvious care was taken in the recording and mastering processes to ensure that there would be no bass overload. The procedures involved in getting such a project right have to be extensive, and applause is owed to the musicians for a flawless delivery.

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