Not quite as ambitious as the 3 disc debut of tenor saxist Kamasi Washington, this single album by pianist/keyboardist/composer James Francies is just a impressive. Produced by Derrick Hodge, it mixes furious and ambitions acoustic originals with exciting fusion moods in the line of Return to Forever.
He’s learned a lot as a sideman for the likes of Pat Metheny, Christ Potter, Stefon Harris and Jeff “Tain” Watts, and he’s bring together the strong team of Potter, Mike Moreno/g, Joel Ross/vib, Burniss Travis II/b, Jeremy Dutton-Mike Mitchell/dr and vocalists YEBBA, Chris Turner and Kate Kelsey-Sugg to round out the various moods.
On the muscular side, the team shows chops with vibes, sax and drums snapping like snow peas on the intricate and kinetic “Crib” and an incendiary “Sway.” Some wild thoughts from the Chick Corea Admiration Society gets things going on the synthy “Reciprocal” with Potter’s tenor while piano and guitar build up the Butanes on “Leaps.” Rich vocals by Kelsey-Sugg are on the bouncy “Ain’t Nobody” and YEBBA gets deep and gospel mooded as she and Francies are declaratory on the emotive “Dark Purple.” Confident, musical and passionately accessible, this is an album you’re going to need to hear. When’s he hitting LA?