Label: Intakt Records, 2022

Personnel - David Murray: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Brad Jones: bass; Hamid Drake: drums.

David Murray is a fiery legendary saxophonist who worked with countless bands of varying sizes. Here, he’s seen at the front of the Brave New World Trio, whose elan takes the form of a powerhouse concoction of familiar and fresh sounds. Flanked by bassist Brad Jones and drummer Hamid Drake, Murray wrote seven of the eight pieces on the record. The exception is a renegade interpretation of Sly & The Family Stone’s R&B hit “If You Want Me to Stay”, which will certainly make your body move back and forth. All tracks were recorded in Europe, immediately after the Covid lockdown.

The opener, “Seriana Promethea”, gave the album its title and unfolds with lively bass clarinet phrases that pop over a riveting funky groove. Bassist and drummer are glued here with an in-the-pocket instinct, but on the next number, “Necktar”, they sit in a joyful and robust rock-like progression with occasional bass pedals. Tenor-madness improvisatory tact joins the party, and hard-swinging fragments help to invigorate the dynamics. Besides the volcanic lead playing by Murray (he goes Eastern places with sequences of half-tone-infused runs), we have Drake and Jones proffering statements with brilliant discretion and no loss of balance.

After the pair of opening tunes knock the breath out of the listener, the rest of the record just keeps punching. Examples are the upbeat “Switchin’ in the Kitchen”, which serves well the contrasting ferocity and side-stepping phraseology of the bandleader with its Latin charm; “Anita et Annita”, a sultry rumba guided by the tightness of the rhythm team with occasional swinging articulation; and the closer, “Am Gone Get Some”, a solid burner full of wit and outside venture.

“Metouka Sheli (Ballad for Adrienne)” casts a spell with the microtonal magnetism of a weeping bowed bass and the moderate vibratos of the saxophone, whereas “Rainbows for Julia”, dedicated to Murray’s daughter-in-law, is a popish song with eloquent jazz improvisation. It feels a little extended, though.

If you like your avant-garde jazz accessible, with lots of great melody and groove, this is a great addition. There are many things to like here.