Soundtrack Of Things To Come, The

JALEEL SHAW: The Soundtrack of Things to Come
Changu, 2013

POSTBOP – Impressive quartet date from alto saxophonist Shaw, a very personal mix of original tunes inspired by paintings and drawn from recent life experiences. The music surges with emotion, mostly upbeat, with a deep vein of soulfulness and lots of rhythmic discussion under the surface. A very friendly, deeply engaging disc.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10

1. 9:24 – rolling rhythm, plaintive melody: sax/piano run thru range of emotions
2. 7:41 – brisk roll, climbing sax: piano thrusts forward over cool bass/drums
3. 7:01 – ballad: warm and billowing, with graceful sweeping curves
4. 7:54 – light, upbeat tune: a sing-song melody into a soulful, joyous rush
5. 2:16 – interlude: r&b/hiphop rhythm vs questioning sax, ending is cut off
6. 11:43 – deep: rises from slow circular pattern: piano/sax solos look inward
7. 8:23 – ballad: solo sax intro, then slow, reflective, loving with an open feel
8. 8:52 – uptempo, spiky groove: piano jabs & rolls, sax weaves, great drums
9. 5:21 – soprano sax flies above a gently chugging rhythm, friendly piano
10. 9:22 – slow gospel with folksy, soulful dignity; picks up a sanctified swing

[ Fo ] - 30 March 2013