Osmosis
Origin, 2023
9/10
The assembly of Josh D. Reed, Peter Epstein, Adam Benjamin, Hans Halt and Andrew Heglund, as Manzanita Quintet the members bring much skill and experience to these creative, unpredictable and modern 10 tracks.
“Hansepts” opens the listen with Heglund’s precise drums meshing with Epstein’s lively sax prowess in the animated jazz climate, and “Pajaro Dunes” follows with Reed’s bright trumpet alongside the animated drums and swift sax that’s not short on grooves.
Landing in the middle, “Leaping Foward” brings a bit of cautiousness thanks to the soulful brass and restrained drums, while “To Quincy” is quick, bold and full of Benjamin’s key acrobatics that are as mesmerizing as they are memorable.
Close to the end, the rhythmic and dance floor friendly “Bemsha Swing” indeed with get you moving thanks to Halt’s precise bass and Heglund’s crisp drums, and “Silence” exits with a sublime intimacy that allows all the players to illustrate stirring control of their instruments.
The quintet have associations to Kneebody, Dave Douglas, Ralph Alessi, Jerry Granelli, Art Lande, Beck and others, and those vast influences help make for a unique record that warrants many listens.
Travels well with: Dan Trudell- Fishin’ Again; Libby York- Dreamland