Quartets
Endectomorph, 2024
9/10
A double album that recruits two quartets, Kevin Sun has been showcasing his saxophone prowess in the New York scene and we’re treated to plenty of modern jazz here.
“Dance Notation” starts the listen with Sun’s bright sax alongside Matt Honor’s thumping drums and Dana Saul’s firm piano, and it isn’t long until “Shadows Over The Sea” finds itself in balladry thanks to lovely keys and dreamy sax.
Close to the end of disc 1, “Storied History” finds itself lively and dynamic thanks to Walter Stinson’s meticulous bass and Sun’s playful wind, and “Heideggerdashian” opens disc 2 with quick, unpredictable sax amid Christian Li’s mesmerizing piano.
Further into the back half, “That Lights A Star” allows for Kayvon Gordon’s agile drumming to complement the animated sax, and “Kierkegaardashian” exits with Stinson’s plucked bass and Li’s dancing keys suiting the colorful sax playing.
An accomplished effort that draws inspiration from video game music, electronic pop and mid-century auteur cinema, the rhythms, textures and atypical vision will impress fans of any era of jazz sounds.
Travels well with: Sakoto Fujii Quartet- Dog Days Of Summer; Patricia Brennan Septet- Breaking Stretch