JULY 2008 ONLINE EDITORIALS

The Aakash Mittal Quartet - Possible Beginnings

By Greta Cornett

Possible Beginnings and the Aakash Mittal Quartet bring an amazing lineup of all original music and local talent to the plate: UNC professor Matt Fuller on guitar, Denver’s own Jean-Luc Davis on bass, and Boulder musician Josh Moore on drums. And, of course, Aakash Mittal, who plays alto saxophone, flute and composes the songs.

The liner notes sum up the album: “Every moment is a possible beginning and possible ending because [they] are only matters of perspective… Through improvisation we seek to create something new from the old.” Each song takes you through beginnings and endings and everything in between.

My favorite song on the album is “Funktional Corruption”. It not only has some of the most technically difficult solos on the whole album, but also explores rhythms and modes, while keeping the listener interested and excited.

The musicianship of each person in the band is top notch and I found myself longing to play along to the tracks. Moore and Davis are so tight together as a rhythm section. Moore has such tasty chops on the drums; filling in spaces where needed and giving the soloists room to move around. And he breaks loose where he feels it. Davis adds to this by staying in the pocket and keeping the groove going, be it a slow number or something more swinging – and he can solo. Fuller plays counter melodies with Davis, adds to the rhythm section, and shares the heads and the soloing with Mittal. Mittal plays a mean sax and flute and definitely takes some of the best solos I have heard in a while.