California native Tyler Sabbag has earned a reputation for his television compositions, earning an Emmy for the miniseries Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones and nominations for Lost L.A. and Chef’s Table. So, it’s not at all surprising that his first solo album has an innate cinematic quality. Novella, an EP of sumptuous instrumental music, could easily accompany a lush, Mediterranean-set film, but can also be greatly enjoyed on its own merits.
Novella, a six-track EP, consists entirely of Sabbag’s own compositions, featuring stellar instrumentation from Duncan Thum (guitar, electric bass, fender Rhodes), Tommy Kesecker (vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel), Lara Somogyi (harp), Ted Taforo (saxophones and woodwinds), Dave Nelson (brass) David Tranchina (bass) Jimmy Dee (guitar), and Sabbag himself on drums and percussion. Strings are provided by the Stockholm Studio Orchestra, and make up a crucial part of the sound. This modest ensemble marries melodies and arrangements that complement Sabbag’s tasteful percussion, resulting in a dreamlike, escapist sound.
The luxurious strings accompany the harp and glockenspiel in the opening notes of “500 Nuova”, setting the scene impeccably before Sabbag’s drums come in, adding a touch of syncopation to the orchestration. Marimba and woodwinds provide a key element of the sound of “Luce Sull’acqua”, and the almost subliminal aquatic effects give the impression of a boat rocking gently on a sunny sea. The closing track “Lo Spettacolo” also employs this effect. Sabbag’s works are not only compositions; they’re exquisite moods.
Elsewhere, the gently chugging percussion of “Gatto e Topo” adds an exotic touch, aided by strings and brass that evoke Gil Evans‘ work on Miles Davis‘ Sketches of Spain (and, again, Sabbag’s drumming brings a contemporary edge that’s never intrusive). The playful “Cuori di Luna” even incorporates a bit of lo-fi production that meshes with the live instruments in delightful, unexpected ways. The jazzy “Appucundria” is another woozy bit of cinematic magic that fits right in with the EP’s overall mood, occasionally approaching Bacharach-like sophistication.
On Novella, Tyler Sabbag conjures a wonderful, sun-kissed orchestral jazz vibe that’s just in time for summer. Have a seat on your patio—or your boat, if you’re lucky enough to have one—grab a cold drink and let the music wash over you.