A dynamic, cinematic jazz sound stirs throughout Innuendo, the latest album from Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra. The release represents the second big band album from Hoffmann, a German saxophonist, composer, and arranger. His grasp of various moods and intensity shines throughout — from the soothing elegance of “Sanctuary” to the eclectic tour-de-force “The Lake,” which swells from quaintly simmering woodwinds into a second-half exhilaration of electric guitar soaring and bright brass-y exuberance.
The album’s opening title track is another standout, paying homage to the band Queen — and certainly capturing a theatrical charm in its structural traversal; the charismatic bursts of brass develop cohesively into piano-adorned, lounge-set lushness — then escalating into a briskly satiating conclusion. “Bipolarity’ is also notable, intertwining jazz, classical, and minimalism with impactful results; the flourishing initial instrumentation fondly reminds of Philip Glass, and the overall build is melodically gripping. Innuendo is a thorough success from Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra.
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“Innuendo” and other tracks can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Rainy Days and Late Night Drives’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
