Heard By Others II
Adhyaropa, 2025
8/10
The revered saxophonist Lenny Pickett and drummer extraordinaire John Hadfield come together for these 4 experimental jazz tunes that are as creative as they are atypical.
The incredibly energetic “Dance Music For 4 Saxophones #5” opens with the layered and animated winds alongside the scrappy drumming, and “Joshua Tree” follows with a calmer pace of ambience and synth qualities that radiate mystery and cinematic moments.
The back half belongs to “Dance Music For 4 Saxophones #8” and “Jungle Room”. The former is busy, nearly chaotic, but carries underlying melody and furious drumming. The latter emits a retro, electronic personality that swirls with adventurousness and exciting song craft.
A highly inventive outing, the use of rhythm and grooves in unorthodox ways tips its hat to Terry Riley and Herbie Hancock via the sax, drums, E-mu synthesizer and Teenage Engineering OP1 and EP 133 K.O. II.
Travels well with: David Leach- The Ground That Holds You As You Fall Forever; Tal Yahalom- Mirror Image