Label: Endectomorph Music, 2025
Personnel - Jason Rigby: woodwinds, keyboards, percussion; Mark Guiliana: drums, cymbals, percussion, keyboards; Pete Min: signal processing, mixing, mastering.
American saxophonist and composer Jason Rigby returns after nearly a decade without recording as a leader. With Mayhem, he makes a vivid statement, expanding musical horizons through pieces that oscillate between serene reflection and volcanic eruption. He is joined by drummer Mark Guiliana, a long-time collaborator of 15 years. Rigby envisioned the project as a reimagining of Interstellar Space—but infused with synths, woodwinds, gongs, and electronics, the latter handled by recording engineer Pete Min.
The album opens with “Siorai” built on a reverb-drenched keyboard figure in seven, understated percussion, and a soft, airy saxophone line. “Fifths” follows with glitch-like harmonies and martial snare patterns, over which Rigby unfurls clean, precise phrases.
Half the material is composed, while the rest is fully improvised. Among the former, “Sevensixfive” pulses with shifting meters, jazzy synth textures, Guiliana’s ferocious drive, and Rigby’s risk-taking saxophone explorations. In contrast, the improvised “Terra Firma” unfolds like a ritual dance: rippling wet percussion, rock-infused synth smears that twist the serenity of the rhythm, bass clarinet effects, and Rigby’s agile in-and-out contortions.
“Yeah Boiii” and “Mark” strip things down to sax-and-drums improvisations where Rigby and Guiliana take off with angular phraseology and a stunning array of elastic rhythms, respectively. The latter piece thrives on stop–start combustibility, shifting into more exotic terrain at a later phase.
“Chimera”, inspired by the sonic atmosphere of Manfred Eichner’s ECM recordings, acquires an Eastern hue with spiritual discipline and tasteful timbral qualities. The duo dials it down to a low modal rumble, employing a soaring flute, harmonic warmth, and high-pitched metallic pings. There’s also a nod to saxophonist Tim Berne on “Burn”, with sax and drums talking the same idiom.
Showcasing Rigby and Guiliana’s powerful musical abilities, Mayhem captivates with its blend of textural surprise, fearless improvisation, and contemporary artistry.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Sevensixfive ► 05 - Terra Firma ► 07 - Yeah Boiii ► 09 - Mark