Oblivity

Guitarist Shawn Purcell can always be counted on to create stimulating and inventive music. In his career he worked with the U.S. Air Force's Airmen Of Note for 8 years, was with the US Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble, and has appeared on over 30 recordings. Oblivity is his third album as a leader, following 2019's Symmetricity and 2022's 180.

For this set, Purcell debuts ten of his originals, performing with the masterful tenor-saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, pianist Chris Ziemba, bassist Jeff Reed, and drummer Steve Fidyk. Four songs add the wordless vocals of singer Darden Purcell and trombonist Ben Patterson is an asset on two numbers.

The music is harmonically advanced and challenging for the musicians yet is often infectious. The set begins with the tongue-twisting melody of "Oblivity," a driving number with a catchy rhythmic riff that inspires passionate tenor, piano and guitar solos. "Quiet The Chaos" has a singable melody in 5/4 time that includes some speedy lines from trombonist Patterson, stormy tenor playing, and Purcell featured on guitar synthesizer. Darden Purcell's wordless singing uplifts "Verdigris" and is followed by one of the best guitar solos of the album.

The group gets a little funky on "Primaries and Spares" (which has Ziemba contributing some effective Fender Rhodes playing), "Gentle Giant" is a lyrical ballad with thoughtful guitar and bass statements, and the medium-tempo "Lazy Day Reverie" has the group swinging joyfully. The other selections include the warm bossa ballad "Meu Amor" (with Darden Purcell's lovely voice heard in the ensembles), the happy jazz waltz "Sunday Best," an uptempo post-bop swinger ("Move The Needle") with some blazing guitar from the leader, and "Flow" which drives the rewarding album to its close.

Oblivity is one of Shawn Purcell's most rewarding albums to date and shows that he is equally talented as a guitarist and a composer.