Label: Nonesuch Records
Personnel - Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet; Kokayi: vocals; Sam Harris: piano; Chiquitamagic: synths; Dustin Brown: drums + Mivos Quartet.
The inimitable trumpeter and composer Ambrose Akinmusire stands among the most creative and ambitious musicians of his generation. His new outing, Honey From a Winter Stone, is a visionary collection of originals inspired by the work of composer Julius Eastman. Here, Akinmusire channels the fears and struggles of Black men, striving to deepen emotional expression while adhering to well-constructed frameworks.
The album’s five original compositions are vivid and powerful, fusing elements of jazz, classical, and hip-hop to forge an authentic style where ethos and cohesion take center stage. “Muffled Screams” evokes a near-death experience Akinmusire survived, beginning with Sam Harris' plaintive piano lines, supported by Justin Brown’s cymbal colorations and tom-tom eruptions. Akinmusire balances texture and color, crafting a shimmering lyricism whose elongated tones intensify both melancholy and primal cries.
“Bloomed” opens with the Mivos Quartet fully commanding a modern classical exploration, eventually morphing into a groovy, hip-hop-infused jazz atmosphere that highlights Akinmusire’s expressive phrases. “MYanx” features fleet, intricate drumming, ominous synths by Chiquitamagic, Kokayi’s commanding spoken word, and rhythmic, motivic string gestures. These elements converge with sharp, piercing trumpet lines that amplify and expand the tonal landscape.
A fat, rounded bass synth and an entrancing hip-hop beat permeate “Owled”, one of the album’s most captivating pieces. The Mivos Quartet and Kokayi shine here, delivering their grippiest performance, but there’s also an ambient middle section with soaring vocals before the piece concludes with piano, strings and cymbals finding common ground.
Headed in an intriguing direction, “s-/Kinfolks” is a 29-minute odyssey traversing avant-garde ambient textures, free funk downtempo, and outlandish free jazz improvisation with the same penchant for experimentation. Akinmusire plays with élan and explores extended techniques. His performance becomes more melodic during a delicate passage softened by introspective piano and crestfallen strings. A hip-hop groove underpins Kokayi’s authoritative rap before culminating in two captivating duologues: trumpet over strings and piano over drums.
This engaging, honest session reveals Akinmusire’s musical versatility and essential message, offering a remarkable showcase of his exceptional artistry.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Bloomed ► 04 - Owled ► 05 - s-/Kinfolks