By Herb Boyd | Published July 2021
Charnett Moffett’s latest reminds us, once again, that his quicksilver imagination matches the speed of his fingers. His vocalized electric bass pulsates across these 12 tracks, sometimes setting a fevered pace for guitarist Jana Herzen, and the drummers Corey Garcia and Malick Koly, or slowing the tempo to allow the meditative melodiousness of Irwin Hall’s saxophones.
Whatever the musical moment, there’s a tight synchronicity at play, and “Flying In The Air” is solid evidence of their collective arrival on a harmonic intersection or a blues motif. And speaking of the blues, it’s particularly sweet on “Little Flowers.” The vocal intimations are replaced by actual human ones on “Spirit & Bride Song,” which presages the anthem-like crescendo of “Love For The People” and the even more celebratory hosanna of “Rejoice.” The latter track is also a platform for Moffett to deliver a full-throated lyric almost indistinguishable from his bass. Instances like this summon memories of his late father, Charles, and the harmolodic experience he shared with Ornette Coleman. A dynamic, ever-shifting dialogue issues from their collaboration; it’s a conference of multifaceted tonalities and intuition.
New Love: Swinging In The Realms; We Remember; Little Flowers; Today; Higher Dimensions; I Didn’t Know; Flying In The Air; ETQ; New Love; Spirit & Bride Song; Love For The People; Rejoice. (43:45)
Personnel: Charnett Moffett: fretless electric bass, vocals (9–12); Jana Herzen, guitar; vocals (10–12); Corey Garcia, drums (all except 8, 11); Malick Koly, drums (8, 11); Irwin Hall, tenor saxophone (6, 7, 11), soprano saxophone (8, 11), alto flute (9).
Ordering Info: motema.com
