New Dreams
Outside In, 2022
8/10
The exceptional musicians Barry Coates (guitar, synth guitar), Jimmy Haslip (fretless and fretted bass) and Jerry Kalaf (drums, percussion) come together for this cognitive, cautious and groove oriented 8 songs that are as calming as they are mysterious.
“Towner” starts the listen with atmospheric drumming, where soft and stirring guitar enters the reflective climate, and “Transcendent” continues the emphasis on mood with a very dreamy landscape of cinematic and absorbing instrumentation.
“Swing Set” occupies the middle spot and displays sublime chemistry between the guitar, bass and drums amid a bit of droning, while “Before” is a quicker display of nearly sci-fi sounds that are quite unpredictable.
“Sacred” and “Retrograde” exit the listen, where the former glides with a very pretty, acoustic template and shimmering sounds, and the latter finishes with an animated and fuller presence of ambient textures that allows each player’s respective talents to be spotlighted.
All 3 musicians have outstanding careers of their own, and their collective strength makes for a heartfelt, meditative and often progressive version of jazz that you can’t not admire.
Travels well with: The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago; Roxy Coss- Disparate Parts