Enja / Justin Time 3309-2
The hybridization of once formerly disparate sounds and musical approaches
within the jazz idiom is the source of more discovery and exploration than
any musical style of the 20th century. From finding that the high-hat
and the ride symbol are suitable methods to lay down groove, to Charlie
Parker's realization that soloists can free themselves from the
constraints of a song's particular melody by playing on top of the song's
basic chordal structure, there have been countless contributions of jazz.
To presume
that jazz is done finding new methods of expression, or that the ability of
fusion to continue bridging gaps is over, would be a falsehood. We are
continually opening doors, both small and large, through the dedication of
jazz musicians not willing to bind themselves to formulas, but instead bind
themselves to the unknown.
Treats for the Nightwalker is among the most ambitious
non-traditional jazz-based releases of the year. Josh Roseman has brought
together a stellar ensemble of musicians who, with their unwavering
dedication, all seem to be striving for the same kind of satisfaction
through their pursuits. It is undoubtedly an album made within the
framework of immense risk and joy, and the result is one that propels the
listener into a trance that is altogether unworldly, yet somehow grounding
at the same time.
From the opening invocation made by a soulfully-played organ, it is evident
that this album is out to recharge something in us. The soul-jazz
inflections of "Sedate Remix" kick the album into gear with the
introduction of a kaleidoscopic flurry of horn notes intermingling with
mathematic precision, followed by a more groove-based beat that makes up
the heart of the song. The title track, which is preceded and followed by
the jazz-funk explorations of "LDSN 2.0" and "Are You There"
(respectively) is a slow, yet heavily pulsating rhythmic piece with a dark
underbelly. The drums alone seem capable of shaking mountains to their
core, delivered with incredible force by drummer Billy Kilson, who plays on
half the album. One element consistent on this album, and which is clearly
evident from the first few songs, is the exploration of melody and the
careful yet fearless implementation of beautiful and progressive
orchestration over an often complex, yet always danceable, groove. This is
where Roseman and his compatriots shine the most; when they commit
themselves to the orchestration and the freedom of the songs with equaled
intensity, thus leaving no holes uncovered and no grooves unearthed.
"Meera," among the longest tracks on the album, is the most forceful
song of the bunch, if only for the resiliency of the groove that the drums
and bass lay down. While the rhythm section lays down the substrate for the
other instruments to grow off of, the horns, winds, and guitar explore over
the beat with amazing excitement and fervor, only relying on orchestrated
melody on a couple occasions. As the song drifts and traverses through
different movements, it carries its weight without a single slouch.
"Meera" illustrates a real commitment from the Josh Roseman Unit to
both chaos and solidity, signifying the elasticity of this ensemble's
abilities.
Those not impressed by groove alone might be prone to consider this album to
be of a fractious nature, that the seemingly dissonant genres melding
together are just getting in the way of something more pure. But, that
would discount the multitudinous layers of soul and style evident on every
piece of this release. It is fiercely omnipresent from start to finish, but
never over-stimulates one's senses; instead it grounds the senses in a
cacophony of grooves, beats, melodies, and atmosphere that serve as a
platform for spiritual sustenance. There is a multitude of moods present on
this album, from the interplanetary environment of "Prospect" to the
undeniably funky and ambitious beats of "Meera," the album lays claim to
a various sources of inspiration. Throughout, it is indelibly marked by
furious yet elegant ambition, and that alone serves as evidence of something
worth listening to.
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