Collaborations between musicians always ignite interest from fans. After all, as Brad Mehldau once said, “I guess chemistry always changes when you play with someone else.” So, when he announced that he would be working on an album with Mark Guiliana, people were eager to listen to what these two innovative musicians would achieve. Let’s dig into why this album attracted so much attention
The Mehldau and Guiliana Pull
Artists can either toe the line in the industry, push the boundaries, sink into oblivion, or find a way to merge being fresh voices and staying true to the musical values. Brad Mehldau, an incredible jazz pianist and composer, is known for his ability to walk this tightrope. In his career, he has found a way to blend different genres, such that his jazz compositions feature pop, rock, and classical effects. Add his ability to play different melodies at the same time with each hand and it’s easy to see why his performances are such crowd pleasers.
Enter Mark Guiliana, an outstanding drummer, composer, and producer who also likes to push the boundaries, paving the way for fresh takes on existing music. Mark is known for his ability to play versatile genres, from jazz to rock to electronic music. This adaptability makes him the go-to for musicians looking for someone who can add that extra yet unique oomph to their compositions. As such, he has worked with names such as David Bowie and Meshell Ndegeocello.
Put the two together, and you have magic. But is this what happened when the two embarked on a project?
The Making of an Innovative Album
When people first heard that Brad and Mark would collaborate on a project, they could not wait to get their hands on the album. So, when the music was finally available on 25th August 2014, people were clamoring to get their first listen and give their ratings on how well the musicians had worked together. So, what was special about this release?
The Musical Styles
As fans had expected, Brad and Mark did not stick to one musical genre. After all, that is not their style. Instead, they went for a fusion of musical styles and elements, with the following taking centerstage:
- Varying Genres. The entire album has its roots in jazz. However, it was not a typical classical composition that followed in the footsteps of its predecessors. Brad and Mark included electronic music to create that contemporary effect while adding elements of pop and rock. So, listeners got to move from one genre to the other, getting a taste of different worlds, which is just the kind of diversity you would expect from this duo.
- A mix of Instruments. Brad is known for his incredible piano mastery, while Mark reigns in the drumming world. The two found a way to make this variation work. On the one hand, Brad worked on a prepared piano whose sounds he would alter to create more dimensions while also working with electric keyboards to vary the soundscapes. On the other hand, Mark varied the beats using live drumming, programmed beats, and other sound effects, paving the way for an acoustic and electronic experience. The harmony between the various styles was evident as everything just flowed. Taming the Dragon is an excellent example of a hit where the two worked on experimental sounds that conveyed high energy and balance. And with this being the first track, it set the tone for the rest of the music.
- Great Composition. An album is not just about sound effects. People also want to draw meaning from the lyrics, and these composers made sure of that. While they were not afraid to step out with some free forms, they maintained a strong tie with the written material. So, as much as they improvised, the compositional structure was clear, which excited the fans. Funny enough, Taming the Dragon had quite an interesting story to boot. It all started with Brad’s psychedelic journey through Los Angeles. In the track, he explores this state by taking the audience on an adventurous journey that mimics his, giving more insights into his experience.
The two musicians also played about with the layering, bringing out different sounds and textures that made the album stand out even more. All in all, as far as rhythmic complexity, innovation, and immersive soundscapes go, the entire album was right on the mark.
The Tracks
The album featured 12 songs, 6 of which were collaborative pieces and 6 of which Brad had worked on alone. The chemistry in the collaborative songs was evident, with the two artists finding unique ways to blend their different styles to highlight their differences in ways that just drew listeners in more. Take the example of “Gainsbourg.” In it, the two set an atmosphere that transported listeners to alternating realms, starting them off with ambient landscapes before taking them down intense yet thrillingly rhythmic plays. “Swimming” was another winner, which had a flow that pushed listeners to go into introspective moods, thanks to the soundscapes that evoked such a vibe. Brad’s solos were also quite captivating, such as the “Sleeping Giant” track that got him a Grammy nomination.
The two also paid an ode to the greats in the industry. For example, the song “Elegy for Amelia E” was a tribute to Amelia Earhart. With a spoken word and music combo, the audience could embark on an emotional yet engaging journey back in time.
The Critical Reviews
Each time artists work on something big, they spend a lot of time thinking about the reception. So, how did this album fair upon its release? Well, the critics loved it and could not help but shower it with praise. After all, it was clear that the duo had put in the work to ensure that everything fit in this intricate puzzle – the innovation was obvious, the creativity was on another level, and the emotional depth was undeniable.
As such, the reviews came in fast and positive – All About Jazz called the work vibrant, Sputnikmusic applauded the dynamic range, and Teleraman pointed out the infectious high energy. To date, this remains one of the best albums that Brad has ever worked on and is a testament to how great collaborations can be!