Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s 'A Fresh Take'
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s third album, titled A Fresh Take, is a re-recording of the Ensemble’s 2006 debut album, titled Making the Music Our Own. It’s the seventh album from composer/arranger Eugene Marlow. Marlow explains his reason for re-recording the group’s debut album. “In the last five years, the Heritage Ensemble’s personnel has changed. The arrangements have not only grown in number, they have evolved with the unique musical qualities each of the musicians brings to the group. Thus, the need to record another album was obvious.” The Heritage Ensemble’s personnel includes Dr. Eugene Marlow, who is the founder of the Heritage Ensemble as well as its leader, a composer, arranger and keyboardist on the album, multi-Grammy nominated drummer Bobby Sanabria, who also produced the album, saxophonist Michael Hashim, who is also an NEA performance grantee, Phi Beta Kappa acoustic bassist Frank Wagner and Nuyorican virtuoso percussionist Christian Rivera.
The opening track, titled “Hatikva,” begins with Wagner’s acoustic bass play and Rivera’s percussion in a low rhythm. Then, Hashim’s sax arrives with a slow hypnotic beat as Sanabria’s drums can be heard gently in the background. As the track continues, Rivera’s percussion becomes more animated and Sanabria’s drumming announces itself with increased thumping as Hashim’s sax continues its compelling rhythm. At times throughout the track, Hashim holds certain notes for prolonged periods of time then lets them trail off, only adding to the entrancing tone of the track.
On “Heine Ma Toy,” the album’s second track, Marlow leads off with sprightly keyboarding as Sanabria’s drums pulse faintly in the background. Wagner’s deep acoustic bass can also be heard intermittently. Marlow plays a repetitive melody for a spell then pauses suddenly then changes his tune as Hashim’s sax brings an equally joyous rhythm to the song. As the track goes on, Hashim and Marlow trade off playing happy chords. Then, Hashim’s swift jubilant blows are accompanied by Sanabria’s more pronounced drumming with Marlow’s keyboarding in the background. About midway into the track, Marlow launches into a playful solo that listeners could envision hearing at their local piano bar as they stroll in after a hard day’s work.
“Ata hu Hashem,” the album’s third track, starts with particularly low keyboard notes from Marlow and single percussion sounds from Rivera. Then, Marlow seems to play the same notes over and over, possibly musically signifying how one can pray over and over again to God who is part of the track’s title since Hashem means God in Hebrew. About three-quarters into the song, Hashim’s sax brings about an enthralling almost mystical vibe. Hashim’s sax then trails off only to pick up again with accompaniment from Sanabria’s drums and Marlow’s keyboard, which is now playing higher notes than in the beginning of the track.
The fifth track, titled “V’Taher Lebeinu/Vis Ma Chu,” commences with Marlow’s precise classic keyboard playing that gets slightly more rapid then trails off again. He then replicates the same melody at both the lingering and quicker paces only to trail off yet again. But, then Marlow begins anew as his keyboard playing becomes more powerful and resonant.
On “Adom Olam,” the album’s seventh track, Rivera appears with light percussion as Sanabria’s drums enter with might. Then, the mesmerizing vocals of Rachel Kara Perez, arrive as she sings this sacred prayer with a heavenly tone. The raw emotion with which Perez utters each word could make listeners tingle. As she sings, Hashim’s sax makes its presence known bringing a jazzy quality and Marlow’s keyboard brings a classical quality to this holy rendering.
“Avinu Malkeinu,” is the ninth and final track on A Fresh Take, the English translation from the Hebrew means “Our Father, Our King.” Bubbly percussion from Rivera starts the track as Marlow mixes in with profound keyboarding. Then, Hashim’s sax bursts in to energize the track even more, Sanabria’s drums appear in the background and Marlow’s keyboarding stays steady as well but with sporadic thumps to make sure the listener knows his prowess is still evident in the track. Hashim’s sax brings a danceable element as listeners can dance and rejoice to this song that honors God.
To sum up, Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s A Fresh Take is indeed a renewed version of the group’s debut album. Complete with innovative song stylings and modern takes on songs of worship that listeners may hold dear to their hearts and souls.