Album Review: PSALM by Dan Arcamone
Dan Arcamone just released his new jazz album, PSALM - a trio collaboration with Panagiotis Andreou on bass, Steve Pruitt on drums, and Arcamone taking care of guitar and compositions.
The album is inspired by John Coltrane's iconic four-part album, A Love Supreme. Arcamone describe's it this way:
I took four of his compositions (Giant Steps, Countdown, Satellite, and 26-2) and composed melodies that fit my concepts. My intention was to play over these Coltrane chord changes in a way that sounds modal and open like the compositions originally on A Love Supreme"
Whereas A Love Supreme finds Coltrane exploring the form and subject of a composition (and an album), PSALM finds Arcamone exploring the harmonic and melodic edges of the compositions themselves.
Arcamone approches the material using chord voicing for the main melodies, scalar explorations of the modes during the solos, and a clean, transparent arrangement that allows you to hear the three musicians working their way through the material.
In short, prepare to have your brain twisted. This album is a “lean forward” listening experience that will invite you to stretch your own understanding of these tunes. It's goovy, it's mind-expanding, and it's fresh. It's a great listen.
(And, by the way, make sure to listen all the way to end of Track 4 to get it all.)
About Dan Arcamone
Dan Arcamone is a Connecticut composer and guitarist whose albums have been exploring new jazz territory for over a decade.
Prior to PSALM (2019), Arcamone released X (2018), Evolve (2017), In Colors (2016), In Motion (2010), and Trioisms (2008)
You can find him on his website and on his Instagram.
Where To Listen
Psalm is available on the usual streaming services. Arcamone also has an established presence on Bandcamp worth checking out.
Listen to PSALM on: Spotify (Coming Soon) | Apple Music | Amazon Music
Buy Psalm on Bandcamp.
Bonus For The Guitar Player's In The Room...
Arcamone also has an instructional book of exercises on jazz standard progressions, called Melodic Continuity. It's available for purchase on his site.
It is a PDF Book with 10 exercises on jazz standard progressions including Stella By Starlight, Giant Steps, Countdown, Rhythm Changes, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, Solar, On Green Dolphin Street, Blues, Invitation, and Tune Up. Also included are 10 play-through videos of the exercises.