Code Of Being (Intakt)
James Brandon Lewis Quartet
Released October 15, 2021
70th DownBeat Annual Critics Poll Top 30 Album of the Year
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qHmvPdLsWuE
Spotify:
About:
The charismatic Saxophoneophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis is the musician of the moment in the broad field of con- temporary jazz. With Code of Being, James Brandon Lewis now presents his second album. The debut CD Molecular, which Lewis recorded with his quartet in 2020 just a few months before Lockdown, was roundly acclaimed as one of the most exciting releases in 2020 (Intakt CD 350).
Code of Being is a powerful work consisting of eight compositi- ons by James Brandon Lewis. Beautiful melodies are responsi- ble for the magic of the songs. The four exceptional musicians, each with personalities of their own, create an urgent ensemble sound, moving through a broad palette of sound-colours, rhy- thms and moods, charged with energy. With a profound sense for lyrical melodies, tonal concision and dynamics, the quartet develop a spirited interplay, reacting to the tiniest atmospheric oscillations on the sound and groove level. “This is captivating music which it is hard to resist, especially the melodies with their thematic beauty.,” writes Florian Keller in the liner notes.
Track Listing:
1. Resonance 07:42
2. Archimedean 07:34
3. Every Atom Glows 05:18
4. Per 4 08:36
5. Code of Being 07:52
6. Where is Hella 13:03
7. Per 5 08:25
8. Tessera 08:47
All compositions by James Brandon Lewis
Personnel:
James Brandon Lewis: tenor saxophone
Aruán Ortiz: piano
Brad Jones: bass
Chad Taylor: drums
Recorded on May 16 and 17, 2021, at Hardstudios Winterthur, by Michael Brändli
Mixed and Mastered in July 2021 by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur, Switzerland
Produced and published by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt, Anja Illmaier, Florian Keller
Graphic Design: Paul Bieri
Photo: Palma Fiacco
Review:
Code Of Being is James Brandon Lewis’ second recording with his “Molecular” quartet (pianist Aruán Ortiz, bassist Brad Jones and drummer Chad Taylor) — for which the tenor saxophonist writes in a system based on biological cell processes. The album also mines his interest in African American visual artists. Puting that aside, what matters is that Code Of Being features some of Lewis’ most beautiful music.
In fact, it opens with the absolutely exquisite “Resonance,” a wistful, pondering tune that works itself into a pugilistic, M-Base-like attack. If the rest of the album never quite equals that zenith, it comes close. “Every Atom Glows” is a haunting ballad featuring the leader, though a suspenseful Jones solo might be its finest moment. The title track and “Where Is Hella” constitute back-to-back dramatic episodes.
Two tracks, “Per 4” and “Per 5,” share a description in Lewis’ notes: “the rhythmic explorations of my Molecular Systematic Music inspired by circadian rhythms in biological cells.” Only the first, though, sounds like a mathematical experiment. It starts as a winding solo, and though the others (especially Taylor) eventually bring in some rhythmic energy, melodically it falls into a rut. “Per 5,” on the other hand, is compelling, with Lewis and Ortiz playing scampering counterpoint over an insistent 6/8 groove from Jones and Taylor.
None of this is to say that the cerebral components of Lewis’ art aren’t fascinating. Certainly “Every Atom Glows” will push one to find the eponymous painting by Norman Lewis. But enjoy the tune, and the album, for its pure musical glory first and foremost.
Michael J. West (DownBeat)
