Mascarpone Discos / France / RE 2024 / CS
This is an extraordinary and exquisite album. A very special brand of avant-garde, hauntingly beautiful spiritual jazz, that incorporates spacey hypnotic synth melodies and atmospheric tones, with chanting vocals, powerful saxophone solos, moody grooves and driving percussion rhythms.
Devin Brahja Waldman has been making a name for himself as both a sideman and leader, performing alongside prolific acts like Patti Smith, Thurston Moore, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, William Parker, and many others, while also being a member of New York City’s Heroes Are Gang Leaders collective (led by poet Thomas Sayers Ellis and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis), and establishing the Moroccan ensemble Ziad Qoulaii Allstars.
An exceptionally original and addictive album that grows with each listen for its fascinating nuances and is undoubtedly one of the best that has been made in recent years.