There have been a wide variety of ways that jazz artists have adapted to the COVID lockdown. Some have done solo albums, others have streamed performances. Chris Potter, best known for his work on the tenor sax, soprano sax and bass clarinet, decided to become a one man band, overdubbing work on (deep breath) drums, percussion, samples, bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, piano and a plethora of woodwinds. The result is an album unlike any others of his, except for the strong composition skills heard in his other albums.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the songs are all fairly concise, with Potter’s solos on the various reeds usually trimmed to one or two choruses. Some of the pieces, such as “Like A Memory” “Drop Your Anchor Down” or “New Life (In The Wake of Devastation)” have a pop and indie feel, making you think that Norah Jones might pick it up and add some vocals to the textured reeds. There’s some Africa kalimba tones to “Mother Of Waters” that features Potter’s rich soprano, while his clarinet rides over a funky Average White Band pulse and groove on “Rising Over You”. A dash of the Brecker Brothers gets soulful on the Steely Danish “Beneath The Waves” and his bass clarinet ruminates gloriously on the textured and previously mentioned “Like A memory”. The overall feel is one that shows Potter’s more lyrical and personal side, with surprises like his piano work here, or flute work there extra bonuses for letting you sit in as a guest in his house. Personal portraits.