Brazz Tree, “Seven,” Mp3 Review

Classifying Brazz Tree’s musical style is impossible unless you’re a well-educated Musicologist, which I am not. I admit I had to ask the band, founded by Brad Hammonds and Mazz Swift, about their influences in one of my favorite Brazz Tree songs, “Seven,” off of their Spiral On CD.

According to the group, “Seven” is an original arrangement of two traditional melodies. The first violin melody (and what I consider the main section of the song) is from a traditional Norwegian dance piece. The middle section of the song is a melody based on a traditional Bulgarian tune. The arrangements of the melodies are all original compositions by Brazz Tree, layered nicely over an excellent acoustic guitar (played and written by Hammonds), and supported impressively by a great cast of musicians. The resulting product is phenomenal and unlike anything I’ve ever heard.

Hammonds’ opening pull-off heavy guitar riff is very fast and very cool. He then breaks into chords while Mazz Swift adds some monotone, then trippy sound effects with the violin. Next thing you know, Swift and the band break into their arrangement of the Norwegian dance piece. During this section, Swift plays two very similar riffs over two very different rhythmic guitar sounds delivered by Hammonds. It sounds as if Hammonds is switching from some minor chords to major. It’s a simple concept in theory, but the effect is quite strong. The rhythm section, though still in the same time, seems to switch up a bit as well. Again, even the subtle changes of the rhythm section have such a great effect. The arrangement is dynamic and amazing.

In the middle section of the song (the traditional Bulgarian melody section) things get much different. First off, it is in 7/8 time. The arrangement is strange and much quieter than the rest of the piece. Brazz Tree keeps you guessing as to where they’re headed next. Where they do go is back to the intro of the tune, back into the Norwegian melody, and then end it all with a psychotic frenzy. It’s fabulous.

Supporting Swift and Hammonds on this tune is a stellar cast of musicians including Alan Camlet (percussion), Pete Thompson (frame drum), and additional string players Hiroko Taguchi (violin), Claudia Chopek (viola), and Martha Colby (cello). All are clearly professionals and deliver an amazing performance.

Hammonds is an exceptional guitarist, and Swift, besides being a great violinist, is also an accomplished vocalist. She doesn’t sing in “Seven,” but she does in several other of Brazz Tree’s songs. Brazz Tree is a group to keep an eye on. If they come to your city, go and check them out in an intimate venue before they get too popular and start selling out large concert halls.

Artist Website: www.brazztree.com

Reviewed By: ListenersGeneration.com