Tilted
Ropeadope, 2020
8/10
This is shaping up to be a busy year for the Analog Players Society, as Tilted is one of two records they’ll release in 2020. On this outing, the quartet of Donny McCaslin, Orrin Evans, Dezron Douglas and Eric McPherson offer a live session of purely improvised magic, where no overdubs and no cuts exist.
“One Note Samba”, an Antonio Carlos Jobim tune, starts the listen with playful keys from Evans as McCaslin’s strong sax prowess adds bouts of soulfulness amid the lively jazz setting that’s dynamic and unpredictable, and “Epistrophy”, by Thelonious Monk, follows with a hypnotic approach as McPherson’s deft drumming anchors the thrilling and cinematic album highlight.
The final track and sole original, “Freedom Is, But A Fraction Of Humanity!”, moves initially calmer, but builds into a fascination display of controlled chaos as each instrument takes their moment in the spotlight with precise manipulation that leaves the listener in awe of its quivering, often furious, beauty.
An extremely well done recording that few, if anyone, could replicate, it will be exciting to see what the next release of the Tilted series offers, as well as their forthcoming October album, Soundtrack To A Nonexistent Film.
Travels well with: Kenny Kotwitz & The LA Jazz Quintet- When Lights Are Low; Jason Kao Hwang- Human Rites Trio