Wild Awake
Diskonife, 2023
8/10
The trumpet and vocalist Darren Johnston put quite a bit of time into these 7 songs, where he’s joined by Dayna Stephens, Jacob Sacks, Sean Conly and Ches Smith for this exciting, experimental jazz listen.
“The Anchorite’s Travel Guide” opens the listen with the warm and bright brass from Johnston and Stephens that’s quite unpredictable and animated, and “Joe Hill’s Last And Final Will” follows with Conly’s cozy bass plucking alongside Johnston’s expressive singing that makes for an intimate climate.
The title track arrives in the middle and showcases Sacks’ fluid piano amid Johnston’s sublime trumpet for the mesmerizing album highlight that builds into a dense jazz rocker, while “Mood Board” spends 8 minutes impressing us with its dancing keys, Smith’s very diverse drumming and the strategic horns.
The final and longest track, “John’s Song”, then blends the soulful trumpet with light drums, strategic bass and absorbing keys for the pensive yet frisky finish that’s dreamy, melodic and strong on atmosphere.
All the tracks here were penned by Johnston, and along with his esteemed company it makes for harmonic, groove filled and occasionally improvised song craft that you can’t help but enjoy.
Travels well with: Rossi/Hess/Moran- You Break You Buy; Sam Bardfeld- Refuge