BREAKING STRETCH challenges listeners to rethink the possibilities of vibraphone-driven music.
Pyroclastic Records
Patricia Brennan – Vibraphone with electronics, Marimba, Composition; Jon Irabagon – Alto and Sopranino Saxophones; Mark Shim – Tenor Saxophone; Adam O’Farrill – Trumpet with Electronics on tracks 1, 3, & 9; Marcus Gilmore – Drums; Mauricio Herrera – Percussion; Kim Cass – Bass
Mexican-born Patricia Brennan’s third album, BREAKING STRETCH, marks a bold step forward for a vibraphonist and composer already celebrated for her trailblazing approach. She earned DownBeat magazine’s Rising Star Vibraphonist award in both the 2022 and 2024 Critics Polls and was named one of the best vibraphonists of the year in the 2023 and 2024 Critics Polls. Brennan has performed with Maria Schneider, Craig Taborn, Ben Monder, Mary Halvorson, John Hollenbeck, and many others.
With her septet, featuring Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Jon Irabagon (alto and sopranino saxophones), Mark Shim (tenor saxophone), Kim Cass (bass), Marcus Gilmore (drums), and Mauricio Herrera (percussion), Brennan constructs an intricate sonic world where avant-garde jazz collides with rhythmic funk, subtle echoes of chamber music, and the vibrant folk traditions of her native Veracruz.
The title track, ‘Breaking Stretch,’ exemplifies Brennan’s knack for balancing tension and release. Staccato horn bursts echo her vibraphone, creating an atmosphere both meditative and restless. When the horns break free, they soar into sweeping melodic lines and raw, expressive improvisation.
On ‘Mundanza,’ Brennan’s cosmic vision takes center stage, evoking a sense of otherworldly mystery. With its unsettling harmonies, pulsating rhythms, and an almost cinematic tension, it makes you feel like you’re floating through the unknown, something straight out of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
‘Los Ottos Yo’ has this really cool funk groove with a bit of hard bop mixed in. Mauricio Herrera’s percussion really stands out, and Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet is pure joy.
Brennan’s compositions thrive on contrasts, with tightly structured arrangements giving way to moments of unrestrained improvisation. Angular melodies smoothly transition into lush harmonies, and her creative use of electronics adds an unexpected texture to the sound. The rhythms on the album reflect Brennan’s deep connection to her Veracruz roots, particularly the infectious, syncopated beats of son jarocho and huapango. Remember Ritchie Valens’ ‘La Bamba’? That same vibrant energy pulses through the music, with intricate percussion and lively melodies that make you want to move, full of rhythm and life at its core.
BREAKING STRETCH challenges listeners to rethink the possibilities of vibraphone-driven music. This isn’t Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, or Bobby Hutcherson. If you’re ready to stretch your ears, BREAKING STRETCH is a journey worth taking.
