Wake Before Dawn
Saluda, 2020
8/10
The Chicago bassist Kitt Lyles returns with Wake Before Dawn, and he’s in great company with his band, Real Talk Collective, across 7 jazz influenced adventures that take nods to post-bop, folk, blues, and even roots music.
Lyles starts the listen with the soft, bare and brief “Intro To Birdsong”, which leads into the 19 minutes of “Birdsong”, where Joaquin Garcia’s keys, Emily Kuhn’s trumpet and Rachael Gallman and Jaron Ferrer’s expressive singing add much to the jazz and blues fueled landscape that’s also string friendly. The album highlight, “Sandlapper’s Mood”, follows, and brings dynamic brass, as calm melodies and moments of blues enter the rhythmic and often vintage climate.
The back half of the record is equally as strong, and includes the vocals of Mercedes Inez Martinez on the Latin influenced landscape of “The Water And The Wind”, where Erik Skov’s guitar work is exceptional, while “Think; Repeat” glows with Kuhn’s saxophone guiding the gentle setting. “Old Soul” exits the listen and benefits greatly from Evan Swanson’s sublime piano work, while leaving an indelible impression.
It’s very apparent that a lot of work went into making this record, and I wouldn’t doubt if Lyles labored over every second of it, dissecting every tone to make sure it was what he wanted. Ultimately, the meticulous nature results in an accomplished and agile listen of timeless song craft.
Travels well with: Paul English- Girl in Green; Dave Camwell- Second Wind