An Exquisite Moment
A64, 2023
8/10
The composer and multi-instrumentalist Joel Goodman brings along an excellent cast for these very rich jazz tracks that are full of improvisation and personal songwriting.
“What Dreamers Dream” opens the listen with Brandee Younger’s twinkling harp and Scott Colley’s carefully plucked acoustic bass complementing Goodman’s hazy synth in the very warm climate, and the title track follows with Lisa Fischer’s stunning vocals amid Philippe Saisse’s atmospheric piano and plenty of dense synth stabs.
In the middle, the thicker presence of “Rumi And The Whirling Dervish” features Eric Harland’s acrobatic drums and Adam Rogers’ swirling electric guitar for the rock focused album highlight, while the more cautious “The Mystery Of Trees” spotlights Donny McCaslin’s soprano saxophone and Randy Brecker’s flugelhorn via the lush and emotive landscape.
The final piece, “Astral Projection”, unfolds across 4 movements, where Mino Cinelu’s percussion, Marcus Rojas’ tuba, Charlie Morillas trombone and violas from Matt Naabours, Karolina Naziemiec, Drew Forde, plus many others, are on hand for the fusion dynamics that are as dizzying as they are exciting.
An album of all first takes, the spontaneity here is excellent and it’s all progressive and jazz fueled in unconventional ways.
Travels well with: Andrew Danforth- Homegrown; Craig Akin- Me, My Bass And I