Beyond Here
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
A saxophonist, bandleader and composer who resides in Montreal, Beth McKenna pens a substantial album here, where themes of conflict and climate change surround energetic, funky and woodwind heavy songs that never sit in one place too long.
“Intro-Beyond Here” starts the listen with warm keys and soothing sax that welcomes Peter Colantonio’s intricate drumming, and “Perspective” follows with a mix Guillaume Martineau’s piano and McKenna’s flowing brass for a very adventurous jazz tune.
Elsewhere, “Interlude: Finding A Place” is textured cautiously amid the poetic beauty, while “Far From Familiar Ground” emits a radiant jazz-rock display. “Letting Go”, one of the album’s best, then showcases Olivier Babaz’s stunning bass lines amid the dynamic and soaring execution.
Deeper still, “Running Out” swirls with playful modern jazz that you can’t help but admire, and “Ele(ctro)phant benefits from Francois Jalbert’s guitar acrobatics as the frisky funk spills out with tremendous attention to detail.
The company McKenna keeps sure do illuminate her eclectic songs that span pop, soul, funk, world music, and, of course, jazz, and with sparing but effective wordless vocals from Sarah Rossy, Beyond Here is as unpredictable as it is memorable.
Travels well with: Avataar- Worldview; Montréal Jazz Trio- Montréal Jazz Trio