The music of these three artists (one metal, two jazz) hits L.A. stages this week, and wouldn't you know they all have new recordings.
Suffocation, ". . . Of the Dark Light" (Nuclear Blast)
Having leaked out a few drops of menace and craziness in recent years without the deep-pulsing drums of Mike Smith and the chaotic guitar of Guy Marchais, the veteran death platoon Suffocation compensates with, to echo the first title, "Clarity Through Deprivation." As the New Yorkers dedicate their dense oompah, punji-pit rhythmic breakdowns and hair-trigger fury more often to vomitous metal-waltz rhythms and considered concision, does that mean they're maturing? Mark that as difference, not deficit, and the title track stands with the band's best. "Dark" being probably the last release with classic croaker Frank Mullen, Suffocation hints at a future where the name could even continue without the inimitable divebomb improbabilities of founding guitarist Terrance Hobbs. Calling it something else would be pointless, since every idealistic enlistee lives to carry on the Suffo tradition of phlegethonic excellence.
Suffocation plays the Regent Theater on Friday, June 16.
Larry Coryell's Eleventh House, "Seven Secrets" (429/Savoy Jazz)
The final album by guitarist Larry Coryell and drummer Alphonse Mouzon (both died in recent months) does credit to each. With the first half reinforcing the Eleventh House fusion tradition and the rest dominated by Mouzon's song-oriented funk, the scene's kinda schizo, but the nostril-teasing '70s vibe unites it. Much of the bridgework is laid by trumpet star Randy Brecker, who straddles styles via charged solos on the Larry tunes and cooled-out melody lines on the Alphunkers. Coryell rips the frets with his evenly plucked but harmonically outrageous solos, often sharing the stage with son Julian Coryell, whose wah-injected edge on guitar occupies the space of absent House keyboardist Mike Mandel. The rockinest track is the space-galloping "Dragon's Way," but the most involving is "Molten Grace," an incredible Coryell acoustic solo workout that somehow mates tender beauty with daredevil adventure. John Lee's punchy bass and a lively studio sound complete the picture of friends reuniting after decades to throw a hella party.
Julian Coryell's ensemble plays the music of the Eleventh House at the Blue Whale on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 20 and 21.
Ambrose Akinmusire, "A Rift in Decorum: Live at the Village Vanguard" (Blue Note)
Bubbling-under trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire's choice to follow his first three carefully crafted studio albums with a double CD of low-key club stretch-outs is a bit of a puzzler. While it does offer a sense of inspiration unfolding in real time, Akinmusire's typically blurry border between drawing you in and plying you with warm milk can creep snoozeward. His wonderful gifts of melody, coloration and imagination remain unmistakable, but the languid, wide-horizoned context – with faint nods to Bach and Ornette -- makes this sound more like ECM than Blue Note. Pianist Sam Harris and bassist Harish Raghavan keep the burner low, with only quick-handed drummer Justin Brown pushing consistent fizz into the undercurrent. Note: A live recording and an in-person experience are two different experiences, and open-eared concertgoers will find a lot to like.
Ambrose Akinmusire plays the Moss Theater on Friday, June 16.