Jason Robinson’s Janus Ensemble consists of JD Parran/acl-bfl, Oscar Noriega/bcl-cl/as, Marty Ehrlich/bcl/as-fl, Michael Dessen/tb, Bill Lowe/btb-tub, Marcus Rojas/ub, Liberty Ellman/g, Drew Gress/b, George Schiller-Ches Smith/dr and the leader on tenor sax, soprano sax and alto flute. As you can tell by the listing, there are a lot of low reeds to wander through, creating a thick and palpable undercurrent, while the low brass adds visceral pulses.
The loose ensemble stampedes along with Robinson’s warm tenor on “Facing East” whle the flutes float over squawking horns and rumbling drums on “Futures Unlimited.” Swirling reeds and herky jerky beats make up Confluence” while tuba and trombone skip along on “Facing West.” Bass clarinet and sax ruble to Circuitry Unbound” while driving cymbals lead the stampede on “Outcropping.” A mix of loose and free floating sounds with an undercurrent of swaying pulsations.