Philip Weberndoerfer | Tides Review

by Illiam Sebitz

From the first shimmering chord of Tides, Bavarian-born guitarist and composer Philip Weberndoerfer delivers an album of expressive detail and ensemble synergy. With a seasoned quartet of Dayna Stephens on saxophones, Richard Mikel on bass, and Peter Traunmueller on drums, Weberndoerfer offers nine tracks that drift seamlessly between European classical nuance, Gypsy-tinged lyricism, and contemporary jazz rhythm. But don’t mistake fluidity for softness; this album is rich with defined ideas, technical ingenuity, and improvisational risk.

Tides pulls you into a sound world where rhythm, form, and tone are in constant dialogue. This is modern jazz with a compositional backbone and an interpretive heart, crafted for those who listen deeply and jazzers who crave clarity.

“Little B’s Poem” opens the album with creative reimagination. Subtle shifts in time signature and a flowing Afro-Caribbean undercurrent breathe new life into Hutcherson’s original. Weberndoerfer’s reharmonizations add modern jazz hues, while Traunmueller and Mikel keep the pulse elastic and warm, creating a space that has a groove but unpredictably adds interest.

“Low Gravity” floats just as the name implies. Guitar and soprano sax share melodic responsibilities, weaving together in the head before venturing into conversational improvisation. Their interplay is responsive and melodic, with Weberndoerfer comping in real-time, shaping the harmonic fabric beneath Stephens’ increasing lines.

“Peace of Constance” begins with lush, stacked intervals, guitar voicings that glide into a reflective straight-eighth ballad. The solo unfolds with a clear melodic top line supported by whisper-soft inner voices. It’s an elegant showcase of voice leading and restraint, capturing the album’s core motif: motion with meaning.

“My Ideal” dips into vintage territory. A lush chordal intro pays tribute to the warm traditions of 1950s jazz guitar. Here, Weberndoerfer dials back his modernist tendencies in favor of lush voicings and classic tone. Mikel’s bass solo is unhurried and lyrical, offering a grounded, introspective counterbalance.

“Salted Sweets” leans into rhythmic pulse creativity. A pedal tone underpins the groove, but the 12/8-to-6/4 modulation keeps the time feel slippery and alive. The band executes coordinated hits that double as structural signposts, while Weberndoerfer threads melodic lines that are both singable and rhythmically daring.

“Suspense and Certainty” lives up to its name. What begins as a contemporary ballad climbs steadily into the upper registers during the guitar solo, where cymbal colors and expanded bass range help fuel the momentum. After the peak, the band cools the temperature for a more introspective bass feature—a perfectly timed arc of tension and release.

“Simple Task” may reference Monk in its harmonic framework, but the performance leans to contemporary jazz with clean tone, melodic economy, and an understated sense of play. The jazz blues changes serve as a canvas for fluid single-note lines, revealing Weberndoerfer’s ability to blur homage and originality with ease.

“The Gypsy” defies the usual expectations of a tribute. It’s not mournful, but vital, an energetic groove with sax and guitar in melodic lockstep. The real emotional payoff arrives during Stephens’ solo, as the band shifts into swing and collectively builds a powerful undercurrent beneath him. It’s a moment of communal expression, where feel speaks louder than words.

“One of These Days” closes the album with a cross-genre fusion of Americana rock and folk-jazz. A backbeat-driven groove and two-feel bass foundation create the setting for Weberndoerfer’s poetic, open-toned solo. His phrasing evokes the quiet intensity of storytelling, tying the album’s themes together with understated clarity.

Tides is a curated emotional journey, shaped by an ensemble that listens as deeply as it plays. Philip Weberndoerfer shows himself to be a fine guitarist, composer, and bandleader with a distinct aesthetic: lyrical, grounded, and sophisticated without pretense.

This is modern jazz done right. Tides doesn’t chase trends; it flows with its own current. For listeners tuned into detail and direction, this is an album worth sitting with and letting wash over you.

Artist: Philip Weberndoerfer
Album: Tides
Label: Shifting Paradigm Records

Release Date: August 23, 2024

About the author

Illiam Sebitz

Born and raised in a picturesque European village, my fondness for music began during my formative years, when the charismatic tones of the recorder first filled the halls of my primary school. This early fascination escalated into my lifelong pursuit of embracing the melodious charm of the flute; I have even spent time refining my skills at a music conservatoire. As a seasoned music connoisseur, I find myself captivated by the multifaceted world of music. I enjoy writing music reviews to better enable me to explore genres as diverse as world, rock, jazz, classical, folk, and film music, each offering a unique auditory journey that enriches my life and intellect.

In my spare moments, you'll likely find me meticulously crafting my latest woodworking project, sharpening my skills with flute etudes, or inventing tales of fantasy through the art of creative writing. My eclectic interests and expertise harmonize to create a symphony of passion and curiosity that resonates within every aspect of my life as a music enthusiast.