PAPATAMUS REDUX

M MUSIC (RECRDED JUNE 2023)

On his latest release, Canadian bassist Mike Downes promises that the music will take
the listener into a meditative, beautiful place. Although it may achieve that goal, it does it at the expense of any music that holds my interest. The ensemble of Downes on bass, Robi Botos on guitar and Ted Quinlan on guitars (plus the addition of percussionists Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo and Davide Di Renzo on several tracks) performs a set of 12 tunes that fall somewhere between the classical sound of the Modern Jazz Quartet, the moodiness of ECM releases and the grooves of Latin American jazz.  It would have been easy for Downes to re-create the sounds of the classic drummer-less trios of Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Nat King Cole, but he opted for a more contemporary approach that demonstrates his lyrical bass playing and the virtuosity of the musicians, but I fear it will simply serve as background music for many.   

BOTTOM LINE: You may be impressed by some solid solos from Downes, Botos and Quinlan, but the overall listening experience will only impress those who prefer their jazz on the lighter side.