Slovenian, Brooklyn-based tenor and soprano sax player and composer Igor Lumpert has a new, New York-based quartet featuring Argentine pianist Leo Genovese, American double bass player Drew Gress, and drummer Damion Reid. The debut album of this quartet, Resistance of the Earth, was born out of a commissioned, multi-media project focused on a universal environmental concern, complete with video projections and a choir, which Lumpert created a decade ago, but never succeeded in documenting. The album was recorded after a single rehearsal and in a single-day session at Samurai Hotel Recording Studio in New York.
The album reflects the spontaneous spirit of its creation, its urgent, soulful themes, as well as the recurring environmental disasters. It is informed by natural disasters, including Hurricane Sandy (Lumpert was in New York when it struck in 2012), the 2011 Japanese tsunami (he had friends there), and Hurricane Katrina. The opening title piece channels John Coltrane’s spiritual music into today’s pressing climate crisis. Lumpert, who studied and toured with Reggie Workman, has a commanding, big tenor sound, and with Genovese, who often follows McCoy Tyner’s piano playing, leads the quartet into a tight, powerful interplay. «Mediterranean Samurai» reflects on bird-watching and spending time with nature (and references the Samurai Hotel where the album was recorded). The last piece, «Blues for Code Talkers», was inspired by the Native American Navajo soldiers who transmitted messages in tribal languages during World War II.
Lumpert also explores his emotional side on «Vinku (for dad)», a beautiful ballad dedicated to his father, who passed away in 2016. «Underwater Snow (for Željka)», is dedicated to his wife and was written when he first met her. «Panonian» recalls Lumpert’s childhood days spent fishing on a river lake. «Choir Song», with Lumpert on accordion, is a touching «coming home song», introducing a playful Balkan melody.
Eyal Hareuveni
Igor Lumpert (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, accordion), Leo Genovese (piano), Drew Gress (double bass), Damion Reid (drums)
