PAPATAMUS REDUX

SUNNYSIDE RECORDS (RELEASED AUGUST 15, 2025)

Ever wonder what the DNA double helix might sound like if it were music? The answer is Anat Fort’s The Dreamworld of Paul Motian. Pianist Fort and guitarist Steve Cardenas are two linked strands that wind around each other as they explore the music of drummer Paul Motian. Stabilizing the cross links of Fort and Cardenas is the backbone of this musical double helix — bassist Gary Wang and drummer Matt Wilson. Speaking of DNA, Motian’s unique musical DNA is ever-present throughout the eleven tunes on The Dreamworld of Paul Motian, five of which were previously unrecorded by the drummer. Tunes such as “Dreamworld” and “It Should’ve Happened a Long Time Ago” show Motian’s more introspective side. “Prairie Avenue Cowboy” and “ByaBlue” capture Motian’s love for simple, folk-like melodies, while angular tunes such as “Mumbo Jumbo” and “Riff Raff” are perfect for Motian’s signature free-flowing rhythms. Fort and Cardenas weave their way through the session, playing melodies in unison, carrying on musical conversations and creating memorable and heartfelt solos. Anat’s single note introduction to the hypnotic “Yallah” is a testimony to her impeccable restraint and passion while her knotty solo on “Mumbo Jumbo” accentuates the angularity of Motian’s melody. Cardenas’ strumming sets the tone for the dreamy “It Should’ve Happened a Long Time Ago” and “Arabesque,” while his solos on the Jarrett-esque “ByaBlue” and boppish “Riff Raff” liven up the proceedings. The intricate bebop nature of “Umh Hum” is the perfect vehicle for Matt Wilson’s tasteful drum breaks. Wang’s powerful and sympathetic playing proves why he has been a member of Fort’s trio for the past several years. Fort even gets a chance to solo as a reader on “Tacho,” a story written by Motian. Shades of Paul Bley come to mind as Fort performs the same tune as a solo piano piece later on the recording. Although the record is on the Sunnyside label, its stands to reason that the overall feeling of The Dreamworld of Paul Motian is reminiscent of recordings on the ECM label  — atmospheric, impressionist and chamber-like. After all, Motian recorded many sessions for ECM and several of Anat’s recordings are also on that label. All in all, The Dreamworld of Paul Motian is an excellent tribute to drummer, composer, visionary and mentor Paul Motian, who’s musical DNA shaped the sound of jazz as well as the careers of several people involved on this session.

BOTTOM LINE: Fourteen years after his death, the music of drummer Paul Motian continues to inspire musicians. Pianist Anat Fort and her quartet of guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Gary Wang and drummer Matt Wilson explore eleven Motian compositions, capturing the drummer/composers’ sense of free-flowing rhythms, folk-like tunes and angular melodies on The Dreamworld of Paul Motian. Like its name, the music on this session is often dreamy but always stimulating.