The Clockmaster
Instru Dash Mental, 2025
9/10
The keyboardist and composer Clay Wulbrecht is joined by many players for these 10 colorful jazz tracks.
“Time To Get Up!” begins the listen with Wulbrecht’s bright keys and playful percussive ideas entering the electronic prowess, and “Hit The Ground Running” follows with Federico Navaro Trías’ soaring guitar playing that suits the rich and dynamic landscape.
The middle belongs to “Night Drive”, where Mateo Ottonello’s fluid drums and Ramiro Flores’ frisky winds help emit a soothing and stylish climate, while “Just A Little Bit” recruits funk stabs via Jeff Parker’s bright brass and the rapid fire drumming.
Arriving near the end, “You Think You Still Have Time” enlists Summer Kodama’s meticulous upright bass and Marco Messina’s proficient upright bass that helps cultivate a unique dreaminess, and “The Fawn II” exits with plenty of grooves and beauty thanks to Elizabeth Webb’s gorgeous pipes.
A very creative effort that uses jazz as a template but is all over the spectrum, we’re treated to electronic bouts, sublime intimacy and infectious rhythms from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Jack Hertzog- Ozark Concerto; Karl Latham- Living Standards II