Evolution

Evolution, by flutist Andrea Brachfeld & Insight, is not just an album; it's an eloquent, impassioned plea for humanity. Brachfeld, with a first-call rhythm section of pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Harvie S and drummer Jason Tiemann, sets out a musically and culturally diverse welcome table that is instructive as well as entertaining.

Brachfeld has serious jazz chops, and she declares her pedigree when the band bears down on straight-ahead hard bop tunes like "What's Up", "The Unraveling of It All" and "Decimation of Transformation". Brachfeld's exploration of world music, however, makes this album a standout. Her beautiful arrangement of "Qingauiit", by the Inuit throat singing duo Tudjaat, is a lovely surprise, as is the band's tender version of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's "Ko Ribon", a Hebrew song praising God for His miracle of creation. The addition of an African wood flute, kalimba and shekere on "The Hut Song" enhances the atmosphere around the song's toe-tapping African rhythm, augmented by Brachfeld's spirited internal flute dialogue. "Child of the Earth", a spoken word affirmation, might be the album's defining moment. Brachfeld's delivery reflects the words' urgency, her gradually rising voice driving the rhythm section relentlessly as the music builds and intensifies beneath her elemental message of acceptance and love.

Brachfeld clearly ranks among the top tier of jazz flutists. She plays with an enviable fluidity and deep passion, applying a feathery touch on ballads, or unleashing a controlled cyclonic fury on uptempo tunes, laying down staccato passages at the speed of a hummingbird's wings. It takes redoubtable supporting players to keep up with her, and it would be difficult to find a more energetic and talented trio than Harvie S, Tiemann and O'Connell. Their anticipation, spacing and meshing indicate either an extended period working together or a case of instant simpatico. The first-rate composing, arranging and playing throughout Evolution establish it as one of the best releases of the year so far.