DAN FORTIN

CANNON

Elastic Recordings

Dan Fortin, electric bass/synthesizers/composer/field recordings/double bass/electric baritone guitar; David Occhipinti, guitar; Phil Melanson, e-drums; Karen Ng, alto saxophone; Michael Davidson & Yunjin Clare Lee, synthesizers; Chris Donnelly, piano; Fabio Ragnelli, drums; Joe Fortin, synthesizers/programming; Madeleine Ertel, trumpet; Thom Gill, guitar/piano/whistling.

Dan Fortin is a masterful bassist and composer. In 2015 he launched his recording career with his debut “Brinks” album for New Talent Records. Since then, he has mesmerized listeners with his bass instruments, both electric and double bass, and his fascination with synthesized and electronic music, space and time.  This is a very melodic experimental jazz recording that leans into the space of Avant-garde jazz.

Starting with the first tune, “Uh Hundred,” with just David Occhipinti on guitar and Fortin on bass, we experience his artistry and inquisitive musical nature.  The melodic structure of this song, and the ones to follow, appeal to me.  On Track #2, adding Phil Melanson’s e-drums to the mix, they use rhythm, experimental sounds, and percussive accents to take their music to another level.  Fortin grounds the experimentation with his bass lines.  On “Minty” he invites Karen Ng to join him on her alto saxophone.  Bass and sax speak to each other in spurts and elongated phrases.  The instruments chatter like old friends catching up.  Track #4 sounds like an alarm system going off.  They continue that trend throughout the arrangement, until Fortin settles down with his double bass exploration solo.  This is added to the use of synthesizers, but I find this tune makes me a little agitated and uncomfortable.  It finally calms down with the help of Fortin’s mellow bass lines. However, this arrangement clearly showcases Fortin’s obsession with experimental sounds and techniques.

Dan Fortin works collaboratively with a number of excellent musicians who help to develop and explore his original compositions in their own unique ways. In keeping with the emergent exploratory spirit of Fortin’s project, these musicians add their musicianship and electronics to create an elaborate album of soundscapes, textures, melodies and rhythm patterns to make us look within. With this music, Dan Fortin insists that we search the outer limits of our imaginations.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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