Soma Schema
Adhyâropa, 2022
9/10
The Philadelphia composer/performer Joshua Stamper leads his sextet Color As Time through 15 tracks of adventurous and unique jazz sounds that tip their hats to the harmonic gestures of Wayne Shorter or Bill Evans.
“the elaborator” starts the listen with Matt Scarano’s skilled and unpredictable drumming alongside plenty of bright brass and Stamper’s precise guitar playing, and “with (con) turning (verse)” follows with a dreamy appeal that benefits from warm synth and Mike Cemprola’s airy flute.
Closer to the middle, the calm keys and soulful horns of “close cover strike gently” help make for an intimate spirit that builds into a textured jazz rocker, while “eardrum thrum” is a short and impactful blend of cozy brass and pretty guitar that makes an indelible impression.
Nearing the end, “telescoper (the smallest eye)” rumbles a bit with firm piano amid the precisely layered drums, winds, guitars and brass, and “wonder is the clearer lens” exits the listen with a bare demeanor that’s full of beauty and mystery.
A very captivating body of work that presents grooves, pitch and tone in atypical forms, consider Soma Schema a prog-jazz meet indie-rock adventure that you’ll enjoy immensely.
Travels well with: Matt Aronoff- Morning Song; Sam Sadigursky- The Solomon Diaries