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Reviews

Marbin — Fernweh
(Bandcamp no#, 2021, CD / LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2022-02-24

Fernweh Cover art

Marbin is a band known for high-energy jazz-rock led by blistering guitar and sax and backed by a tight rhythm section of bass and drums. Dani Rabin (guitar) and Danny Markovitch (sax) have fronted a variety of players in the other positions, but Fernweh finds them with only bassist Jon Nadel and no drums at all. This is just the first indication that something is very different about this album. A look at the track titles reveals a host of familiar names: “All of Me,” “Stardust,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” and so on. Yes, Dani and Danny are doing a set of standards, and Rabin sticks to acoustic guitar throughout. But fear not — Marbin brings the same energy and technique to these familiar tunes as they do to their own material. It’s just… quieter. Most of the tracks feature multiple guitar parts, with a rhythm part on each side of the stereo spectrum plus a lead part in the center, most notable when listening on headphones. It should come as no surprise that Rabin has this style down — the Django Reinhardt Gypsy Jazz idiom flows off his fingers as nimbly as his rock licks. Markovitch contributes his usual soprano sax as well as the occasional tenor, and he too seems to feel this style in his bones. His fluid soprano falls into the scales of the tunes effortlessly, managing to provide the flash we’re used to in this more old-time setting. His killer solo on “Minor Swing” is a joy, with jaw-dropping flurries of notes, expressive passages, and even a bit of grit unlike what is normally heard on a soprano. With “Nuages” they slow it down, applying their lyrical magic to Reinhardt’s impressionistic tune, and Markovitch’s tenor seduces the listener with its warm tones. It’s a masterful set, and more than just one more Reinhardt tribute. Marbin brings their own flair to the music, most notably in the full sound created by the multiple guitar parts. This seemingly left-field set should be welcomed by Marbin fans as a pleasant diversion into the group’s roots, and anyone who enjoys old-school Gypsy Jazz should find a lot to love here.

Filed under: New releases, 2021 releases

Related artist(s): Marbin

More info
http://marbinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/fernweh

 

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