KingMaker

About

To anyone who saw Joel Ross play vibraphone as an up-and-coming sideman, soloing with such uncommon vitality and bringing heaps of tonal color to bands led by Marquis Hill, James Francie, Melissa Aldana, Makaya McCraven, and more, it was abundantly clear the young Chicago native was destined for something big—and soon. Indeed, he got signed to Blue Note, not long after appearing on <i>Flight</i>, Francies’ 2018 debut for the label. With <i>KingMaker</i>, Ross seizes his moment, leading a superb group of peers on a journey that is as emotionally rich and melodic as it is technically demanding. “Touched by an Angel” starts the album on a very slow build, establishing the sound of Ross’ vibes in tandem with Immanuel Wilkins' alto saxophone, a distinctive unison texture that informs many of Ross’ tune. Pianist Jeremy Corren emerges as a forceful soloist on “Prince Lynn’s Twin” and “The Grand Struggle Against Fear,” pieces that introduce another device prevalent in Ross’ music: trading, in which soloists pass the baton in quicker-than-normal succession, forming a loop and upping the music’s energy. This occurs also on “Yana” (which omits Wilkins) and “Ill Relation.” While trading is among the most traditional of jazz practice, Ross’ repeated use of it in the main body of a tune is striking and unexpected. .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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