JazzTimes – October 2019

62

tarist/vocalist (and Motéma founder

and president) Jana Herzen.

When Jackson sticks to piano rather

than synthesizers, like on the opener

“Holy Spirit,” the disc evokes disparate

European classical and acoustic Amer-

icana themes thanks to Moffett’s up-

right-like tones, the unplugged nature

of Tixier and Whitfield’s instruments,

and the sparse accompaniment of

Herzen on a semi-hollow body acous-

tic-electric guitar. On the subsequent

“Free the Slaves,” Moffett’s funk bass

line, Stanley Clarke-inspired solo, and

chanted vocals help create a very differ-

ent atmosphere. It’s a recurring pattern.

The third track is the lone non-Moffett

composition, Herzen’s “Precious Air,”

which straddles pop and folk styles via

her breathy lead vocal.

“O My God Elohim” adds elements

of gospel and Irish music, thanks to

the 6/8-timed cadence of Moffett and

Whitfield and dancing solos of Tixier.

The disc only detours when Herzen

becomes overly dissonant, but such

moments are few and far between.

The disc ends with the Mahavishnu

Orchestra-inspired “Netting” and

the title track, an anthemic piece that

rides the ascending arpeggios of Tixi-

er and Moffett.

BILL MEREDITH

REVIEWS ALBUMS

Sandy Hook tragedy—and the loosely

knit title track show yet another facet of

Younger’s betwixt-and-between artist-

ry. The reasons for the delayed arrival

of this Douglas-produced date aren’t

completely clear, but it was certainly

worth the six-year wait.

DAN BILAWSKY

CHARNETT

MOFFETT

Bright New Day

Motéma

Bassist Charnett Moffett has a catalog

of solo recordings dating back 32

years, yet he may be best known for his

touring and recording with guitarist

Stanley Jordan. Such is the reality

for rhythm instrumentalists, even

ones whose recording credits include

Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis,

and Ornette Coleman. On his latest

release, Moffett—who can impres-

sively play every variety of acoustic

and electric bass—plays only a fretless

electric instrument, which he utilizes

to create a unique mix of jazz, folk,

and chamber music with keyboardist

Brian Jackson, violinist Scott Tixier,

drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr., and gui-

by presenting a bit more variety.

An eclectic blend of the spiritual

and soulful, this date proves stirring

from the start. With Ravi Coltrane

making a guest appearance and drum-

mer Chris Beck stoking the flames,

bassist Dezron Douglas’ “Soulris”

makes for a compelling opener. Three

Younger originals follow, marking her

as both a grounded and sophisticated

creative force. “Linda Lee” finds this

hippest of harpists at her glistening

best, sharing the spotlight with the

conversational coupling of tenor saxo-

phonist Chelsea Baratz and trumpeter

Freddie Hendrix; “Love’s Prayer,” with

a return appearance from Coltrane,

starts as melodious Zen poetry and

climaxes with bubbling springs; and

“Respected Destroyer,” featuring

trumpeter Sean Jones, blends hints of

Asiatic allure and solid neo-soul sug-

gestions into a seamless package.

Nodding to her chief influences,

Younger opens the second half of the

album with a trio take on Dorothy

Ashby’s “Games” and closes the curtain

with a saxophone-centric journey

through Alice Coltrane’s “Blue Nile.”

A hypnotically flowing take on “Save

the Children” dedicated to saxophonist

Jimmy Greene’s daughter—the late Ana

Grace Marquez-Greene, a victim of the

Antonio Adolfo.........................................49

Blue Note..................................................C2

Dave Wilson Music.................................59

DJ Records...............................................63

Entertainment Cruise Productions.....8, 9

Gold Coast Jazzfest.................................23

James Bowman III..................................57

Jazz Congress 2020..................................45

Mack Avenue.....................................17, 19

Manhattan School of Music...................C3

Music Dispatch..........................................3

Plastic Sax Records................................55

Resonance Records................................47

Rhino Entertainment...............................15

Rocky Mountain Audio Fest..................C4

Scott’s Aural Fixation.............................61

Sher Music...............................................53

Summit Records.......................................29

Sunnyside Records.................................13

Sweetwater ................................................1

United States Navy Band........................5

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