The Jellyfish
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
An outfit spearheaded by the clarinetist, saxophonist and flautist Jacob Gorzhaltsan, as The Jellyfish he reels in Ravi Naimpally and Ewen Farncombe for these 8 worldly jazz tracks.
The cozy spirit of “Inkblot” opens with Gorzhaltsan’s hazy wind and Naimpally’s animated tabla making for a distinct climate, and “Silhouettes” follows with intimate sax that aligns with the cautious percussive ideas.
“Shadows” and “Courtyard” land in the middle. The former offers a rich and unpredictable moment that’s a bit cinematic in scope and benefits much from Farncombe’s frisky keys, while the latter occupies mesmerizing territory via the firm keys and animated tabla amid the colorful clarinet.
Arriving late, “Reflections” displays Gorzhaltsan’s flute prowess in the 9 cautious yet adventurous minutes, and “Bazar” exits with a really upbeat and lively bout of skilled improvisation.
An excellent starting point, the use of looping and psychedelic moments enhances the listening experience that’s spontaneous and globally relevant.
Travels well with: Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe- Songwriter; Alex Bird And The Jazz Mavericks- You Are The Light And The Way