THE PACIFIC JAZZ GROUP — The Pacific Jazz Group (review)

THE PACIFIC JAZZ GROUP — The Pacific Jazz Group album cover

Album · 2023 · Post Bop

4/5 · 2023-09-08
Carmel

Hey all, I am freshly back from a virtual ride down the Pacific coast and ready to unpack the musical polyphony of “The Pacific Jazz Group.” Forget the dusty annals of yesteryears – here's a record that bridges eras, making the jazz lover in me both nostalgic and intrigued. Let's dive deep, shall we?

Jazz, the quintessential American music genre, often finds itself in flux. Just as we observe paradigm shifts in literature, philosophy, and art, jazz too metamorphoses. Dred Scott's latest is a discourse set to music, drawing from the reservoir of the Pacific Jazz Label; Scott offers a post-modernist rendition of a vintage sound.

Gone are the monolithic approaches to jazz. “The Pacific Jazz Group” offers a symbiotic mingling of sounds, echoing the interdisciplinary nature of our contemporary world. Think Derrida meets Davis, but with a California sunset in the background. Dred's piano plays the post-structuralist, challenging our very conceptions of West Coast Jazz, while Eric Crystal's tenor sax croons with the eloquence of a seasoned professor emeritus.

"Line For Lyons": Ah, this piece is a veritable sonic voyage to the Californian coast. The quintessential West Coast jazz feel is both invigorating and soul-soothing. The performance immediately draws you in with that entrancing swing – the very essence of what we love about West Coast jazz.

Scott's soloing over John Witala's underpinning bass pulses is reminiscent of an eloquent dialogue – two conversationalists in the groove of things, their synergy palpable. Scott's dynamic phrasings, harmonizing with Crystal's soaring sax, show their adeptness and mastery over the genre. We witness a potent confluence of tradition and modernity in their melodic solos, making it evident that the spirit of jazz is alive and evolving.

Adding flavor to the piece is Witala's bass solo, which maintains a joyous demeanor, reminiscent of a carefree stroll down a sunny beach. The interplay during drummer Smith Dobson's eight-measure trade-offs with Scott and Crystal showcases jazz in its most collaborative form.

The production, under the expertise of Denny Abrams, with Ben Rubin's mastering touch, gives the track a polished brilliance. It's energetic, it's fun, and most importantly, it elevates your spirit. Top marks!

"Utter Chaos": Ah, don't be misled by the title. It might suggest disorder, but what we get is a joyful musical ride. Still staying true to the West Coast jazz vibe, "Utter Chaos" provides an expansive canvas for Scott and Crystal to paint their sonic narratives.

It's captivating to witness their simultaneous improvisations. There's an intimate tango happening here; Scott and Crystal are locked in a rhythmic embrace, weaving their solos seamlessly against the familiar backdrop of rhythm changes. It's an auditory delight, observing how the ensemble breathes new life into a standard progression. It's energetic, intellectually stimulating, and yet maintains that uplifting aura.

The Pacific Jazz Group's album is like a well-structured thesis. It acknowledges its roots while postulating new interpretations. The essence captured here is musical and emblematic of our zeitgeist – with reverence for the past and the innovative spirit of the present.

As I transition from virtual ocean side drive to don my reviewing cap, it's records like The Pacific Jazz Group's that keep both my avatars – the adventurer and the music aficionado – engaged and intertwined. “The Pacific Jazz Group” is an album that carefully balances the defined sounds of West Coast jazz with today's modern jazz vocabulary, an essential listen for anyone looking to expand their musical and intellectual horizons.