Naked Animals
Audio Daddio, 2021
8/10
A recording from way back in 1990, the saxophonist and flutist Mark Lewis uses his quarantine time to unearth this gem, where the post-bop quartet of James Long, Frans van Grinsven and Willem Kuhne laid these tracks down in Holland, where Lewis resided for 14 years.
“Moonflower” opens the listen with Kuhne’s graceful keys as Lewis puts his sax on display in the very harmonic and breezy landscape, and “Mercurian Rendezvous” follows in 5/4 time with no shortage of grooves as frisky drumming from Grinsven anchors the jazz climate.
At the halfway point, the title track emits much energy and beauty in its flowing, dynamic interaction, while “A Dance With Monique” lands in a calmer, romantic tone as Lewis’ flute prowess illuminates the dreamy setting.
Approaching the end, “4-D” shuffles quickly, playfully and with plenty of dance friendly bop fun, and “The Seven Angels” exits the listen meticulous yet loose as each member takes their turn in the spotlight on the soulful and swinging finish that tips it hat to the blues.
Surprisingly, Naked Animals was recorded near the end of the quartet’s time together, though they appear to be in sync like a band flourishing. Despite the recording being 31 years old, it’s clearly aged very well and sounds as relevant today as it did in the ‘90s, and will likely radiate just as well 3 decades from now, too.
Travels well with: Steve Gadd Band- At Blue Note Tokyo; Dan Bonsanti And The 14 Jazz Orchestra- Cartoon Bebop