Short Tracks: Kabir Dalawari- “Last Call” (2024)

Produced by Matt Ulery, ‘Last Call’ by Chicago-based bandleader/drummer Kabir Dalwari is more than the sum of its parts. The album, out now at Shifting Paradigm Records, showcases Dalawari’s composition skills and his drumming talent. The bandleader assembled a powerful group of players to bring forth his vision, including Stephen Parisi Jr. on bass, longtime alto saxophone player Kyle Brooks on alto sax, Joshua Achiron on guitar, Nicholas Olynciw on piano, and Chris Madsen on tenor sax. Dalawari, an educator and performer, took on the heady task of topping his stellar 2022 debut, ‘Awareness.’ Judging from the seven expressive compositions, he has more than met the challenge.

The opening bass and piano passages from the title track, “Last Call,” are magical. The song, which, according to Dalawari, was inspired by his need to move forward personally and professionally, is gorgeous with sprinkles of Madsen’s expressive tenor work and Dalwari ’s stunning yet subtle snare and cymbal work. Brooks and Parisi add textures to the arrangement, too, before Dalwari brings the themes home with an evocative drum solo.

“For Ma” is a nuanced piece with prominent bass work by Parisi before Madsen and Brooks advance the primary musical theme. Producer Ulery has sympathetically supported Dalawari’s musical vision, allowing each player to shine. Guitarist Achiron’s subtlety on electric guitar is appreciated, as is the rim work from Dalawari.

“Turbulence” adds more chaos and adventure to the proceedings. Guitarist Achiron plays off Dalawari’s complex rhythmic foundation while Brooks continues the central musical theme before Madsen moves the song in a different direction. Complex, daring, and utterly engaging, “Turbulence” is an excellent piece of music among six other gems.

‘Last Call’ is a worthy follow-up to Dalwari s stunning debut and if available now on Bandcamp as well as other digital music sources.