Sameness Of Difference, The

This is again “acoustic” JFJO, like on their CD “Walking with Giants," meaning Brian Haas sticks to piano (Reed Mathis adds guitar-like sounds via bass, so it’s not 100% acoustic.) Often a big, loud sound. Combine that with the heavy melodies of the covers (Bjork, Hendrix, Neil Young, etc.) and this frequently sounds like movie soundtrack music, with a larger-than-life cinematic feel.

Certainly not your traditional jazz piano trio. Heavy-handed piano and drums show the rock/”jam band” aesthetic is still solidly there; it’s unsubtle and almost sounds like they’re competing with The Bad Plus (or is it the other way around?)

1- Slowish, grand. Beginning-of-the-film drama.
2- Breezy and dramatic. Midtempo.
3- Tumbling rough stomp, with steel-guitar-sounding licks. Bjork cover.
4- Hard-stepping jazz vamp; lounge music in steel-tipped boots
5- Playful
6- Sneaky little cabaret step. Fun.
7- Kinda pretty in an aggressive, thumping way. Very melodic. Flaming Lips cover.
8- Neil Young cover. Big and loud; soaring melody.
9- Brubeck song, warm and rather faithful reading
10- Nutty piano dribblings, touches of circus feel? Then lots of phases of fairly straight jazz.
11- Really fast lines, straight jazz w/cool dissonance. Dig the bass and drums solos.
12- Brian Wilson tune, slow, gentle, warm.
13- Beatles cover. Slow start into brisk piano. Happy ending.