Lost your faith in the future of jazz? Think that it’s going to devolve into either cacophonic noodlings, retreads of the past or groaning hints of hip hop? YOU HAVE HOPE! Drummer Otis Brown III, who’s been a sideman for artists like Esperanza Spalding and Joe Lovano, has released a debut album that mixes the best parts of life-faith, family and jazz-into a complete whole that holds onto the heart of modern jazz, looks back at the faith of his fathers, and leans forward into an exciting future.
Otis brings together here a foundation of Robert Glasper/p, Ben Williams/b, Nir Felder/g, Shedrick Mitchell/org and a horn team of Keyon Harrold/tp with John Ellis/sax to mix hard hitting hard bop with blues and Baptist beats. In sync and jabbing tunes such as “The Way (Truth & Life)” and the gently grooving “The Thought of You” feature Glasper’s fingers in a highly Hancock mood, while vocalist Nikki Ross teams up with the pianist for a thoughtful and highly moving piece and prepares you for her testimony at the pulpit, complete with a recitative organ on a Christian hymn medley that will even move the heart of Richard Dawkins. A sleek and bluesy “You’re Still The One” is delivered poetically by Gretchen Parlato while the mix of piano, drums and Ellis’ tenor will have you rolling in the aisles on the spirited “The Thought Of You.”
It’s been quite some time since I’ve heard something that gave off such a feeling of passion, sincerity, power, art, and above all, importance. This release feels like something you need to pay attention to, so be foretold here and now!
Revive Records/Blue Note Records