Zack: Well, dearest readers, this is our first recorded experience with the jazz genre so how about we try and make it memorable? There are two perceptions about jazz defined by two very different people: those who think it’s what you hear when you get into an elevator that makes you want to go at the speaker with a crowbar, and those who are casual listeners but wouldn’t say they love jazz. These people, best described by the term “aficionados,” won’t say they “love” jazz because jazz is too cool for emotions of that magnitude. In order to be a true jazz fan, you have to have a slight tinge of ambivalence towards jazz. Otherwise, it just doesn’t work. Once you find a jazz aficionado that matches that description, it is important to find out what their instrument of choice is, for that is the key to unlocking the secret of their true personality. Some people, like my mom, enjoy the saxophone. These people are classy individuals who have a bit of an inner freak. My reason for saying so? Funk music. A lot of the best funk bands around have a prominent saxophone blasting out the most ridiculous noises you’ll ever hear, but still with a smattering of jazz roots in there. If the person is a trumpet fan, watch out! They’re probably very masculine and virile. This dates back to European monarchies where trumpets introduced the king, aka the biggest badass in all the land. Personally, I love when a nice drum solo comes along, especially in the beginning of the track Pursuance of this album (don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten what I was writing about in the first place). People who favor drums in jazz instrumentation like to march to the beat of their own drummer but are still fond of hearing what others' have to say. At this point, you may be wondering what I have based this album analysis/horoscope on. Absolute speculation and nonsense is your answer. But seriously, jazz is a genre that is often thought of as being boring, but everyone should at least try it out and see what they think. This album is perfect for just that. There are plenty of instruments that are all given opportunities to shine, and hopefully one of them will connect with you.
Favorite Tracks: Pursuance; Resolution; Psalm
Emily: ...there's really not much I can say after that. What I liked about this album was the spirit of improvisation. Each instrument feeds off of the others, working together to create a multilayered sound that is the essence of jazz. Since it was recorded live in one session, the listener can truly feel the musicians interacting, organizing, and developing the sound of the album. Though I'm not usually a jazz fan, that feeling made the album exciting to me.
Favorite Tracks: Pursuance; Acknowledgment; Resolution
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