Much is made about improvisation or playing in the moment. While some bands pay casual reference to those phrases, as if to think it will improve their credibility, Bright Dog Red (BDR) makes it their mantra. They are the epitome of in-the-moment playing. So, if you thought that studio recordings could give them the loops, layers, and effects – or, said another way, an arsenal of gimmicks to produce their singular sound, this live recording, In Vivo, proves otherwise. Even when the question was posed to the leader, Joe PIgnato, his response was that the approach was the same, just that they cannot edit the live recording, which is an end-to-end performance.
This is the Albany, NY-based collective’s fourth album for Ropeadope since 2018, and In Vivo follows the double-disc Somethin’ Comes Along, released last September. Prior to signing with the label, the band released Bullet Proof Shoes, a live studio LP consisting of one 31-minute improvisation. In Vivo differs in that it was recorded in a performance space, ShapeShifter Lab, for a virtual performance that includes multiple tracks. They recorded on November 7, 2020, just as Presidential Election results were rolling in, results that fueled the energy of the performances, especially freestyler Matt Coonan’s lyrics for “We Ain’t Gotta” and “On the Way Out.”
The album adheres in sequence to the way the music unfolded that evening, and the editing is minimal, just for breaking the hour-long set into six individual tracks, four of which extend beyond ten minutes. The band understandably had plenty of pent-up energy, not having played for almost a year.
“Under the Porch” features a soaring performance from Eric Person on alto (also soprano and flute) and guitarist Tyreek Jackson. Drummer Pignato and acoustic bassist Anthony Berman keep the music pulsating, the latter making invaluable contributions to this blend of electric and acoustic sounds. Cody Davis (electronics), on the other hand, creates swirling and atmospheric effects while Coonan’s poetry and freestyling is heard as they segue from “To Be Born Into” toward “We Ain’t Gotta” with its memorable Election-fueled line – “Thank God, we ain’t gotta do another four years of that.” Note that in other settings, such as the virtual show this past May 14th, additional members may join, in that case tenor saxophonist Mike LaBombard. Others, such as live looping artist Adma Ahuja, trumpeter Jarritt Sheel, and keyboardist Matt Mottel of Talibam have joined as guest soloists on other dates.
BDR melds the influences of free-form jazz, funk, rock, and hip-hop into their signature sound. Coonan moves from the rather bizarre ramblings of “Under the Porch” to another Election-fueled series of statements in “On the Way Out,” punctuated by the memorable cliché line referencing the former President, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” It also features plenty of psychedelic sounds that weave in and out of inspired solo and conversational playing of feedback-drenched guitar and soaring soprano.
Throughout the set explorative moments transition into spirited, spiritual playing to jazz fusion to leaner settings as in the opening of “Since Yesterday” where Coonan’s expressive lyrics and backed only by Berman’s imaginative bass playing. Yet, none of these sequences last too long before the other members add to the mix. Here there’s a funky syncopated stretch featuring Person on soprano above the pulsating combination of bass, guitar, and drums, while Person flies to an equally filthy greasy but different beat. The final piece begins awash in sound effects before Coonan enters, backed by Person on flute and reverberating guitar from Jackson, later evolving into squawking sax and machine-like, industrial rhythms. That’s what keeps it interesting, these pieces evolve in ways that even surprise the musicians, let alone the listeners. One constant thread is the relentless Pignato’s energetic trap work.
Give this one the time it deserves. One complete listen won’t do it justice as you’ll pick up on different aspects each time you hear it. Yes, it’s out there but it holds together coherently and will often have you tapping your foot or nodding your head, as you immerse yourself.
