AXIOM
Stretch, 2020
8/10
Recorded on March 10, 2020, right before the world shutdown and seeing live music became non-existent, the 3 time Grammy nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and his band played this lively and accomplished set, unaware that it would be their last for a long time.
“X. Adjuah (I Own The Night)” starts the set with hypnotic keys as lightning quick percussion and bright, hazy brass enter the controlled chaos setting, and “The Last Chieftain (For Big Chiefs Donald Harrison Sr. & Jr.)” takes a similar approach with furious drumming and jazz friendly ideas amid the busyness.
Further along, “Huntress (For Cara)” recruits flute from Elena Pinderhughes amid the dreamy, synth friendly landscape, while “Incarnation (Chief Adjuah- Idi Of The Xodokan)” is textured beautifully, with no shortage of rhythm and grooves. “West Of The West”, the album highlight, then starts with a story about Adjuah’s experience with racial profiling at his residence, before segueing with acrobatic keys before Alex Han’s saxophone takes center stage alongside plenty of playful electronica.
The final two tunes are bonus tracks, and includes alternate versions of “Guinnevere” and “The Last Chieftain (For Big Chiefs Donald Harrison Sr. & Jr.)”, where the former emits plenty of soul in the innovative fusion and the latter displays sublime interplay between the charming instrumentation.
This is Adjuah’s 3rd live album, and, like everything in his vast catalog, it’s a fascinating meshing of genres including jazz, hip-hop, rock and with plenty of African nods that will be sure to satiate his significant fan base, while probably adding plenty of new ears his direction, too.
Travels well with: Marcus Strickland Twi-Llife- People Of The Sun; Kendrick Scott Oracle- A Wall Becomes A Bridge