Toms Rudzinskis Quartet – Interception
Latvian saxophonist and composer Toms Rudzinskis received the annual Latvian Music Records Award for Best Jazz Album of 2024 for “Interception”. The album on Jersika Records, run by Mareks Ameriks, who also produces most of the label’s albums, came out last October and is now finally available on vinyl too. There is this special dynamic in all of Toms’ compositions which can be pretty intense and rhythmically challenging, like on the first two pieces on the album, “Sky” and “Edges”. And yet, there is also a very commanding warmth in his playing. The combination of these two characteristics is what makes his music so palatable. He drives his accompanists forward with ease and finesse, like pianist Alex Koo on “Edges” where he smoothly glides over the keys with much tension. The record also features some extra sonic nuances: there is a string quartet throughout the album, adding colorful layers to the pieces.
A pretty fascinating interaction and conversation can be witnessed on “Roundabout”. It’s as if bassist Igor Spallati and Alex Koo are having an intense discussion which is dissolved when Toms chimes back in. And the strings sort of wind them all down. I really dig the free-flowing “Gaze” with fiery drum work courtesy of Ivars Arutyunyan. The string quartet introduces the gripping, enthralling “Moving On”. It has this propulsive beat which makes it all the more compelling. And it is also good to hear him calm down a bit on the slower “Years” where his sax engages in some muted conversation with the bass. There is also another luscious piano solo on this one. And just when you think that there could be a ballad on the album too, Toms closes with the beautiful “Memories” where he shows his tender, dreamlike side.
