If you like the fire-intensity of Ivo Pereleman’s tenor, this guy is right up your alley. Tenor saxist James Brandon Lewis fronts a trio
with William Parker/b and Gerald Cleaver/dr, both Pereleman alumni, and mixes outside with bop and blues, while adding a dash of the church. Lewis has a thick and fervent tone, showing contemplation on “Divine” and going aggressive without falling overboard while mixing it up with Cleaver on “Desensitized.” He yearns between the interplay of bass and drums on ‘Wading Child…” wailing but not losing control, ahile does some three way free form conversations on “Enclosed” and “Organized Minorities.” Vocal readings of poetry by Thonas Sayers Ellis pop up on a couple tracks, with “The Preacher’s Baptist Beat” quite intuitive. Like the best of pilgrims, this spiritual traveler makes the journey worthwhile.
Okeh Records