Signal Quartet: “Second Exploration: The Music Of Ben Wolkins” (2023) CD Review

Signal Quartet is a relatively new ensemble, having formed during the summer of 2020, when everything was shut down due to the pandemic, a time when people were looking for different ways of connecting, of communicating, a time when both musicians and music lovers had to come up with alternate ways of getting their music fix. Based in Michigan, the band is made up of Ben Wolkins on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ian Blunden on guitar, Eric Nachtrab on bass, and Sean Perlmutter on drums. They put out their first album in the summer of 2022, a self-titled disc featuring original material by Eric Nachtrab. Not long after the release of that disc, the band began recording music for the second album, this time focusing on material composed by Ben Wolkins. Second Exploration: The Music Of Ben Wolkins features all original material written by Ben Wolkins, who also produced this release.

The album opens with “Fore!,” which begins with a solid theme on guitar. The trumpet then joins the guitar on that theme, two voices rising together to deliver the message. And soon after the drums and bass come in, they veer from that main theme, though revisiting it now and again. I like the looser aspect of the jamming when the musicians are moving off into other areas, and the first lead of the album is done by Eric Nachtrab on bass. It’s a cool lead, with a sense of direction, and I like how the guitar supports the bass in that section, and how they are not in a rush to return to the theme. When Ben Wolkins comes back in on trumpet, the instrument seems to be singing, ready to lead us all forward. And then it is the trumpet and the drums that are working together to shake things up a bit, to take us to a bright and exciting place. And during the next section, with the guitar leading things in a somewhat different direction, the drums seem to urge us all to let loose, and soon all the instruments are moving toward something wonderful. The initial theme is revisited, but what I like is that the obvious way of wrapping things up, ending the track the way it began, with the trumpet and guitar delivering that theme together, is not done. Because now we’ve arrived at a somewhat different place, and while the theme is still there, we view it differently. Its force has changed. That is followed “C.O.D.,” which has a cool, somewhat mellow groove. Hey, is cash on delivery still a thing? I haven’t heard the expression in a long time. Anyway, I love the bass line, but it is the trumpet that really determines the vibe of this track, and Ben Wolkins delivers some absolutely wonderful work here. I also love how a sudden rush of the drums is what indicates a change from the trumpet to the guitar lead. This is one of my personal favorite tracks. It just gets cooler and cooler, as that rhythm settles into your belly and becomes part of your own genetic makeup somehow. The guitar lead has something of a laid-back feel, at least at first. No need to race, everything is just fine. It grows from there, and the segue to a bass lead is smooth and feels natural.

There is a joy to “If You Knew Her” right from the start, the trumpet singing again. Perhaps singing a woman’s praises? The bass line is now delivered at a quicker pace, and, interestingly, when the guitar soon takes an early lead spot, it is not a long, uninterrupted solo. Within twenty seconds or so, the horn is back to say a little more, before the guitar then is allowed to stretch out and express more of what it wishes to say. This track features some delicious work on guitar. Then in the middle of the track, there is a lead on bass. Again, there is a good deal of joy in the playing. We are also treated to a drum solo in the second half. Actually, it’s broken up into several short drum solos, excellent stuff. As the track is drawing to its conclusion, Ian Blunden gets another opportunity to shine on guitar. Then Sean Perlmutter starts “Nothing Missing” on drums. This is an interesting piece, with a good deal of character. Or perhaps, characters? They include a sleuth, who is taking in the room, looking about for indications of mystery or foul play, but it is all play, or at least playful. And then as the track settles into a delightful groove, the guitar and trumpet enter into a conversation. It is friendly, but perhaps the trumpet feels a need to state its case more than does the guitar, or is the more dominant voice. Things begin to grow wild and tense beneath the horn, led by the guitar, a wonderful section. And then suddenly we are basically back to the beginning.

There is something sweet and rather innocent about “The Worker Bee” as it begins. There is a light and carefree feel about it. As we get farther into it, it becomes more focused on its task. And while there is that focus, there is still something light about the music, reminding us that things can be accomplished without stress, without too much strain. The rhythm remains relaxed, even while the flugelhorn gets excited, grows lively. And when the guitar lead starts, it comes from that more relaxed place, then progresses from there. That’s followed by “Lavandula Hugs,” which eases in. There is something soothing about it. Lie back and close your eyes, and let the music embrace you and carry you away from your worries. Even as the flugelhorn grows in power, it maintains a comforting quality, though it is the rhythm section that really keeps that soothing vibe intact. Ben Wolkins delivers some lovely and warm work on this track, and then there is something timeless in Ian Blunden’s guitar lead.

Eric Nachtrab opens “Slow Brew” with some great work on bass, drawing us in. And the moment a theme begins to emerge, the others join him. There are darker, odder elements at play at moments, and there is some delicious and exciting work on drums. I love the atmosphere of this tune, the guitar really helping to create it, while the flugelhorn then leads us through and above. There is also an excellent guitar lead in the second half. Really, each of the musicians completely shines on this track, with everything working perfectly. Check out that great drumming toward the end. This is another of my personal favorites. I highly recommend checking out this track. The album then concludes with its title track, “Second Exploration,” which begins with a drum solo, so I am on board immediately. And then things are cooking, the bass pushing forward like there are demons on its tail, the guitar then urging them into different spaces, and to dance their way there. There is some incredible work here. The trumpet allows itself more space to breathe. With the fast pace, with so much energy to this track, those pauses in the trumpet lead are striking. Still, the idea seems to be to go onward, to go farther, to push through boundaries, to not look back. This is a wonderful jam that is over all too soon.

CD Track List

1. Fore!
2. C.O.D.
3. If You Knew Her
4. Nothing Missing
5. The Worker Bee
6. Lavandula Hugs
7. Slow Brew
8. Second Exploration

Second Exploration: The Music Of Ben Wolkins was released on April 21, 2023.