Transition(s)
Corner Store Jazz, 2025
8/10
It’s been a busy year for Phil Haynes, and this 2nd album of 2025 has the drummer joined by Ben Monder’s guitar for the creative, jazz inspired 13 tracks.
“Ben I” leads with a climate of mystery, where waves of ambience flow with intrigue, and “Untitled” follows with a cinematic simmering of shuffling sounds surrounded by a haze of electric guitar.
The title track lands closer to the middle, and showcases Haynes’ meticulous drumming amid the intricate guitar via more rock focused sounds, while “Phil III” is a quick bout of improvised and playful meandering.
Landing close to the end, “‘Too Easily” blends the warm guitar with frisky drumming that’s melodic, and “Epilogue” exits with a gentle, nearly post-rock demeanor that’s rich, reflective and engaging.
Haynes’ works is as memorable as it is prolific (he actually released 3 albums in 2025), and this ambient and avant-garde experience is both stylish and innovative.
Travels well with: Phil Haynes- Return To Electric; Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio- Dream A Dream