Complex Emotions
Mack Avenue, 2024
9/10
The revered jazz outfit The Bad Plus return with a 2nd album with their current line up, where Reid Anderson, Dave King, Ben Monder and Chris Speed explore new terrain while still being anchored to their inimitable jazz formula.
“Grid/Ocean” starts with King’s dense drums amid Speed’s soulful sax and much atmosphere, and the lively “French Horns” follows with Monder’s complex guitar that suits the frisky version of jazz-rock.
The middle track belongs to the soulful “Carrier”, as Anderson’s animated bass complements the flowing sax, while “Cupcakes One” is a quick and dynamic album highlight that’s melodic, complicated and rhythmic.
Landing near the end, “Deep Water Sharks” carries much intimacy before getting scrappy and hypnotic thanks to the brisk drums and well timed synth, and “Li Po” exits with a distinct ambience that’s blurry, psychedelic and illustrates even more variety from the quartet.
The Bad Plus released their first album in 2000, and have continually redefined what jazz can sound like. This tremendous body of work is yet another must hear effort of progressive jazz that only they could create.
Travels well with: The Nels Cline Singers- Share The Wealth; Vijay Iyer- Trouble