What If?
Unit, 2023
8/10
A flutist, vocalist and composer, Alex Hamburger returns with a sophomore album, where Patrick Graney, Chase Elodia, Tyrone Allen II, José Luiz Martins and Andrew Bailie accompany her across the jazz fusion affair.
“Ladybug” starts the listen with a spacey ambience, where Hamburger’s dreamy flute is met with the atmospheric synth and Elodia’s acrobatic drumming, and “Lion’s Den” follows with a sublime intimacy that benefits from floating keys, light drums and Hamburger’s expressive voice.
Further on, “Surface Unknown” recruits Graney’s mysterious percussion for a gripping ambience of cinematic qualities, while “November 3rd” pairs the elegant flute with mature keys that make for a reflective, engaging album highlight.
Near the end, “Plastic Stars” meshes acoustic with electric sounds for a lively, dynamic landscape of stylish jazz nods, and “Gone Too Soon (For Lowell And Aaron)” exits with Bailie’s articulate bass complementing Hamburger’s gorgeous singing.
A listen that successfully transforms feeling to sound, Hamburger’s vision is abstractly comforting, highly innovative and lyrically just as substantial as it is musically.
Travels well with: Nadia Washington- Hope Resurgence; Danielle Wertz- Other Side