Tree Of Life

Oh my, this is good. Modern (but not avant-garde) jazz with Afro-Caribbean influences. Combines terrific drumming (by Mela), solid horns, Hancock-ish electric piano, and occasional vocals. Instrumental (save # 4, 6, 10).

No FCC issues.

1 ** Fast, high energy. Mostly led by strong sax. Good piano break in middle. (3:55)
2 *** Mid, then fast. Hot guitar and piano solos. Somewhat dissonant and adventurous. (5:48)
3 ** Mid tempo. Piano intro, then horns. Funky synth. Syncopated drums. (3:36)
4 **** Wooden flute begins, piano takes over. World-music feel (Latin American and Amer-Indian). Male and female (Esperanza Spalding) non-verbal singing (la la lay lo). Great! (4:48)
5 **** Awesome jazz-rock fusion. Wild drumming. Tenor sax and electric guitar lead. (5:14)
6 Very slow. Hoagy Carmichael classic. High male vox with Latin accent. Singing is sweet but not particularly good. For fun, compare to The Stones’ version. (5:32)
7 **** Mid fast. Soulful, funky, jazzy. Manic drumming and very cool electric piano back long improv solos from various saxophones. Reminded me of Weather Report. (6:03)
8 * Slow. Mellow improv on guitar. Gentle drumming. (2:10)
9 *** Afro-Latin percussion extravaganza plus strange modal, electric sounds. Olé! (4:04)
10 *** Slow ballad to start. Male singing in Spanish is better than #6. Shift up to fast, modern improv on piano and tenor sax. Wind down with slow piano. Restate the vocal theme. (8:16)