Return To Electric
Corner Store Jazz, 2025
9/10
The drummer and composer Phil Haynes embraces the future and past with these 13 unclassifiable tunes that welcome Steve Salerno and Drew Gress.
“Crystal Silence” opens with Gress’ playfully plucked bass, as Salerno’s dreamy guitar enters the soft climate, and “Spectrum” follows plenty of rock gestures, where Hayne’s thumping drums align with the soaring guitar.
Further along, “Spell” recruits plenty of rhythm via the trio’s meticulous grooves, while “Cycle” is a more artistic moment that’s gentle, unpredictable and even intimate.
Closer to the end, “Some Sick Slick” wanders with intrigue, where the meticulous guitar, frisky drums and well timed bass interact playfully, and “Paraphernalia” exits with 7+ minutes of a busy and animated bout of free jazz dynamics.
A fusion album of massive creativity, the 3 musicians possess a chemistry that’s rare, and the songs unfold with edgy and ‘60s nods that you can’t not admire.
Travels well with: Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio- Dream A Dream; Ingrid Laubrock- Purposing The Air