Be Still
Cellar, 2023
8/10
The esteemed vibraphonist Jalen Baker is aligned with Paul Cornish, Gabriel Godoy and Gavin Moolchan for these 8 contemplative tracks that rarely stay in one place for long and are quite memorable.
“Twas” opens the listen with Baker’s bright vibes alongside Moolchan’s fluid and frisky drums that makes for a lively climate, and “Be Still” follows with an animated approach that benefits from Cornish’s skilled keys and no lack of melody.
“Herzog” occupies the middle spot and uses Godoy’s bass playing wisely amid the dreamy vibes, while “Jinirikisha” makes for an introspective album highlight that spotlights the dynamic rhythm section.
“The Light” and “Body And Soul” exit the listen, where the former is an intimate and stylish moment, and the latter continues that cautiousness via the radiating warmth.
Baker was picking up momentum with his solo career when the pandemic struck, but his time back in his hometown when the world shut down gave him a new sense of purpose, and the resulting balance with regard to his career is allowing him to make some of his best music yet.
Travels well with: Kirk Lightsey- Live At Smalls Jazz Club; Dave Liebman- Live At Smalls