Tomorrow’s Journey
Ghost Note, 2022
8/10
The inimitable saxophonist, producer and composer David Binney brings us an unclassifiable listen, where his jazz ideas are met with electronics, 2 basses, and brass by Aaron Janik and Jon Hatamiya for the highly technical 7 tracks.
“Second To None” opens the listen with Binney’s unpredictable sax prowess alongside drumming acrobatics from Benjamin Ring and Paul Cornish’s firm keys, and “Tomorrow’s Journey” follows with a much calmer approach intially that flows with much grace thanks to the meticulous brass, and then builds into a fusion friendly rocker.
In the middle, “Cousin” brings mysterious piano and soulful horns to a cinematic album highlight, while “Loved (For Cousin Vince)” moves intimately amid a very warm presence of keys and sax, “Cali Culture” exits the listen, and showcases Binney’s glowing sax skills alongside well timed bass, before abruptly shifting into a very busy formula of controlled chaos that’s quite striking and admirable.
Binney cites Tomorrow’s Journey as ‘the most musically intricate acoustic project [he’s] worked on thus far’, and it’s also a welcomed return to his classic acoustic ensemble setting that long time fans and new listeners will be impressed with.
Travels well with: Ben Morris- Pocket Guides; Ben Markley Big Band With Ari Hoenig- Ari’s Funhouse