Vince Mendoza thrilled listeners with 2021's topical
Freedom Over Everything, his debut for
BMG's
Modern Recordings with the
Czech National Symphony Orchestra. A composer, conductor, and arranger,
Mendoza continues to meld his musical passions -- from samba, flamenco, and tango to jazz, rock, R&B, and pop -- on
Olympians, a reunion with the Dutch
Metropole Orkest, the only full-time jazz and pop orchestra in the world. Affiliated since 1995,
Mendoza served as chief conductor between 1995 and 2004; he is currently one of three.
Olympians offers new performances of compositions
Mendoza wrote over the years. He also enlisted guest soloists including singers
Dianne Reeves and
Cecile McLorin Salvant, saxophonists
Chris Potter and
David Binney, percussionist
Alex Acuna, and late guitarist
Ramon Stagnaro (playing charango).
Opener "Quixote" rushes in with its M.O. at full syncopated power.
Mendoza layers in a short percussion break from
Acuna, then underscores
Marc Scholten's solo soprano sax with dramatic orchestral support. "Esperanto" is a vocal version of "Esperanca," from 1997's
Epiphany. It is loosely inspired by
Pablo Neruda's Book of Questions with lyrics by
Kurt Elling.
Mendoza's slow-building chart takes full advantage of
Reeves' multi-octave range and her vocalese command over a large ensemble. She sings and chants, wedding folk melody and Brazilian rhythms with brass and the Black sacred vocal tradition. "House of Reflections" is a showcase for
Salvant. An elegant ballad co-written by
Mendoza and British jazz vocal icon
Norma Winstone, it was composed in tribute to late trumpet great
Kenny Wheeler. Strings and winds paint a dreamy, gauzy frame for the singer, while
Hans Vroomans' intuitive pianism supports her warmly, soulfully delivered lines. "Miracle Child" opens with
Peter Tiehuis' bluesy electric guitar soloing; reeds, winds, and strings then add textural dimension. Vibes, glockenspiel, drum kit, and double bass join next before the orchestra begins stitching contemporary post-bop and classical impressionism in a panorama of color and drama before
Scholten's emotive alto solo brings it back to earth and
Tiehuis guides it home. "Big Night" is set to a fingerpopping hard bop tempo, it offers big, fat brass, swirling strings and swooping winds framed by funky bass and drums.
Mendoza's harmonic melody is infectious enough to hum along with and offers fine solos by tenor saxophonist
Leo Janssen and
Tiehuis. "Lake Fire" is a big-band extravaganza, full or propulsive force, shifting dynamics, complex colors, and adventurous timbres. It features a fire-breathing tenor solo from
David Binney. "Barcelona" is a showcase for
Mendoza's brand of 21st century progressive big band. The inherent swing in the textured, layered dynamics is accomplished by juxtaposing intricate lines for brass, winds, and reeds simultaneously, and buoying them with soaring strings countered by a breaking snare and funky bass. Tenor saxophonist
Chris Potter adds heft and ballast to the tune's post-bop drama with his solo. Closer "Bright Lights and Jubilations" was recorded live. It evidences the reach, imagination, and sophistication of this continued collaboration with driving swing, rocking blues, and elegant R&B, making
Olympians almost peerless in quality and vision. ~ Thom Jurek