4k
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
A jazz fusion quartet who have been together since 2016, Modasaurus collects James McGowan, Jamie Holmes, Alex Moxon, and JP Lapansee and their respective talents to an extremely varied and exciting 7 tunes here.
“The Four Kids (4K)” starts the album with bright piano from McGowan as playful percussion and clever guitar work enter the rhythmic setting, and “Hey Bud!” follows with beauty and restraint from the rhythm section of Lapansee and Holmes that flows alongside the piano acrobatics.
Further along, the Celtic influenced “Crazy Ceilidh” moves with both soft and loud dynamics in the guitar fueled atmosphere that recruits harmonica from Normand Glaude, while “Khaleegy”, which was recorded live off the floor, brings a cinematic quality to the diverse Middle-Eastern ideas.
“Seen My Jawa?” exits the listen with much atmosphere, as it builds into a swift jazz album highlight filled with a haze of quick percussion, dancing keys and proficient guitar work from Wayne Eagles.
McGowan is also an educator, and the rest of Modasaurus were previously his students, and also play in other outfits. An extremely eclectic sophomore album, they don’t shy away from rock, funk, classical, Celtic, Middle-Eastern, Latin and plenty of world music swagger on this top notch fusion effort.
Travels well with: Fawn Fritzen- How To Say Sorry And Other Lessons; Sharon Isbin- Affinity