Label: Imani Records, 2026
Personnel - Caleb Wheeler Curtis: stritch, soprano saxophone, trumpet; Jason Moran: piano.
In duo formats, musicians are very much exposed, yet this is something that multi-reedist Caleb Wheeler Curtis and pianist Jason Moran are not afraid of. Enjoying the freedom of creation, their music on Incantation never feels aimless or uncertain, with the saxophonist thrilling from every angle while the pianist gives the pieces weight and a central axis. The album is a call to ancestors, incorporating originals from both players, two free improvisations, and three apt covers.
“That Which Cannot Be Replaced” emerges at first with folk melodies over freely conversational piano remarks set as accompaniment. The piece, written by Curtis, evolves into avant-garde territory, incorporating cyclic structures that recall Evan Parker’s breathing-technique exertions, exquisite harmonic wadding, and brief pounding pulses extracted from the piano’s low register. Also penned by Curtis, “Flotation Device and the Shivers” is marked by a regular, ticking-clock piano figure that ebbs and flows in intensity, with Curtis stretching out freely with half-atonal sweeps and swirls. They end it in palpable melodicism via a catchy ostinato.
Moran brings in two compositions of his own, revisiting “Gangsterism on a River”, which he specifically wrote for and played with the late saxophonist Sam Rivers, and “Restin’”, a hypnotic and calming 2004 piece first recorded on the Blue Note quartet album Same Mother. The former unfolds delicately and confidently in its contemporary nature, with Curtis constantly astute on soprano, while the latter embraces minimalism, space, silences, and depth, with occasional spikes in low-register energy.
“One Hundred Years” and “Archaeology” are free improvisations, the former ending with evocative multiphonics and the latter featuring Curtis on both trumpet and stritch. And then both excel in the rendition of saxophonist Arthur Blythe’s “Miss Nancy”, a texturally riveting effort where effective stride piano comes in support of soulful saxophone lines. This blend of avant-jazz and grooving R&B turns into breezy blues on pianist Orrin Evans’ “Big Small”, while a perfect balance between dreamy and cerebral is offered on the soothing “Tiramisu for Two”, a composition by bassist Noah Garabedian (Curtis’ bandmate in the trio Ember).
Curtis and Moran inject individuality while contributing to a shared sonic identity. They are open to bristling experimentalism, showcasing meticulous care for tone and texture within their immersive collective soundworld.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - That Which Cannot Be Replaced ► 02 - Miss Nancy ► 07 - Restin