Hear No Evil
Color Red, 2022
8/10
The brain child of the bassist and multi-instrumentalist Reed Mathis, as Electric Beethoven he interprets the work of Beethoven into a jazz, EDM and funk filled listen that allows room for improvisation which showcases 6 compositions plus plenty of extras that are spread out across a double LP.
“The Fifth” opens the listen with an intricate, dreamy demeanor that welcomes crisp drums and soothing instrumentation, and “Elise” follows with a playful, dance-floor ready energy that’s got grooves in spades.
In the middle, the acrobatic bass lines of “Ode To Joy” complement the frisky drumming of the album’s best, while “Moonlight Sonata” enters darker territory with a hint of mystery and haze in its adaptable climate.
“The Path” and “The Seventh” exit the listen, where the former births calm melodies and a cinematic warmth, and the latter certainly flirts with EDM in its meticulous and stylish personality.
Mathis has an impressive resume that includes playing with the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Tea Leaf Green plus many others, and he brings much experience and skill in jazz, funk, folk, blues and jam-rock to this very unique and exciting listen.
Travels well with: Death By Dub- Abundance; Marcus Rezak- Truth In Sound