Rob Susman

Top Secret Lab

Self-released

Trombonist, composer, and arranger Rob Susman is a veteran of many NYC-based large ensembles, two of which we have covered on these pages – Swingadelic and Funk Shui NYC. Top Secret Lab is his first effort as a leader since his eponymous album in 2002, giving him the opportunity to present his inventive writing and arranging, not to mention adventurous solos. He leads a nonet with arrangements that often make the group, not surprisingly, sound more like a big band, given Susman’s wealth of experience in the latter. Susman wrote and arranged five of these seven compositions, all but “Erghen Diado” (Peter Liondev) and the mega hit from Percy Sledge, “When a Man Loves a Woman” (Lewis/Wright).

“Tastes Like Chicken” opens with fanfare before morphing into a funky burner, featuring intense solos from the leader on trombone and a weird, psychedelic run midway through where Susman also plays keyboards. For the most part though it’s an ensemble piece rather than a series of solos. Susman takes the trombone lead on the ballad “This Time” which builds in intensity as it develops behind these opening lines and impressive kit work from drummer Yulchi Hirakawa. The initial sections are marked by several pauses but a flowing, cinematic melody develops at around the two-minute mark and the nonet digs in, swelling much like a big band behind Susman’s melodic lines before Susman and Hirakawa reprise the opening theme. “Erghen Diado” plays to an engaging rhythm and features a soaring, cluster filled solo from Chris Hemingway on soprano, followed by turns from guitarist Jane Getter and bassist Dan Asher. The trumpeters, Seneca Black and Chris Anderson, don’t waste any time, as they are in stratospheric mode upon entry.

“East Side Infirmary” has an infectious, funky hook and guitarist Getter especially shines here. “Burrito Malo” integrates the funk, swing, and the cinematic quality of Susman’s writing with an emphasis on the trumpets and a bluesy solo from baritone saxophonist Maximillian Schweiger. True to the title, “Out There” Susman plays the always weird theremin, but the piece develops as a angular, Monk-like swinger with stirring trumpet statements as well as tenorist Stan Killian, who finally gets his own feature. This piece may well be the prime example of Susman’s writing – unpredictable changes, colorful textures, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to boot. “When A Man Loves a Woman” closes with Susman reaching deep into the blues while his band undulates behind him with its powerful surges accented by trumpet cries, stinging guitar notes, and in-your-face brassy attitude. It’s a standout arrangement and the perfect cap to an imaginative, passionately rendered set of tunes.

• Jim Hynes

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