Label: Self released, 2023

Personnel - Mehdi Nabti: alto saxophone, claves, composition; Thomas Morelli-Bernard: trombone; Philippe Bernier: electric guitar, trombone (#3); Nicolas Lafortune: electric bass; Alain Bourgeois: drums; Kullak Viger-Rojas: congas.

Prototype is an inviting progressive project from Paris-born, Montreal-based alto saxophonist Mehdi Nabti, who vouches his serious eclectic jazz pedigree and compositional style. His latest body of work, Continuum, develops in the same contemporary world jazz-funk line as the previous entries but denotes a few novelties worth exploring.

“Astarté” is a precise rock-inflected exercise with strong Northern African type of melody atop. The arrangement is metronomic, with regular bassist Nicolas Lafortune and new drummer Alain Bourgeois ushering us to the changes while buoying the solos in the company of guitarist Philippe Bernier. The latter, who replaced Joy Anandasivam, and the bandleader delivered stately improvisations on this number.

Powerfully polyrhythmic, “Trantor” reinforces the go-getter attitude via the solos from Nabti and trombonist Thomas Morelli-Bernard, whereas the less exuberant “Garamantes” is propelled by ornate guitar pointillistic patterns and the driving congas of Kullak Viger-Rojas. Regardless of the caravan-like pace, this is a tonal piece of epic ambition.

Curling bass lines invade “Laptis Magna”, which, being fluid and harmonically perceptible, evolves with odd-meter and an underlined funky feel. There’s a vamp for the drummer at the end, just like on the following track, “Positron”, which burns in seven with a catchy, optimistic theme that seems inspired by singable R&B and rock harmonic resolutions.

Unanticipated is also the lively closer, “Techno Sapiens”, which emulates the genre mentioned in the title with reiterative energetic riffs. Imagine a Latin rave with propulsive congas while the guitar infuses funk counterpoint in the accompaniment.
Continuum is another bold entry in Nabti’s discography, one that deserves consideration as the music agitates with stoutness.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Astarté ► 02 - Trantor ► 03 - Garamantes

Label: Chant Records, 2020

Personnel - Xander Naylor: guitar, synths; Elijah Shiffer: alto sax; Nicholas Jozwiak: bass; Raphael Pannier: drums; Angelica Bess: vocals; Sarah Pedinotti: vocals; Alex Asher: trombone; Cole Kamen-Green: trumpet; Alec Spiegelman: baritone sax, bass clarinet.

Brooklyn-based guitarist and improviser Xander Naylor studied Western and Eastern traditions, a relevant detail underlining his multi-genre compositions. The bandleader gathers a cast of competent and well-traveled musicians to join him in Continuum, a body of work that reveals an expansive side of his musical self.

Rhythmically unbridled, “Lunar Acropolis” creates unexpected effects through fragmented rhythms, solid and compact drones in the back and the guitar at the leading. This fluid sonic journey relies on an adaptable framework whose toppings move from electronica-inspired patterns to temperamental post-rock attitudes to danceable jazz infiltrations. Naylor’s vast musical vistas are also noticeable on other acrobatic numbers such as “Pursuit”, a frenetic dance permeated with punk rock and free jazz elements, as well as “Surrender”, in which the group toggles from passive to aggressive while drawing inspiration from avant-garde jazz and noise-rock. Here, you’ll also find an engaging solo from alto saxophonist Elijah Shiffer and Indian music influences in Naylor’s guitar sound and language. These Indian flavors come off with a meditative quality on “Who Laughs First?”, where chromatic notes and bends make for a more spiritual exploration.

“Export For Screens” and “Riddlin’” are two intense distinct exercises in sound. The former, suitable for a David Lynch flick, waves darkly with fat, round bass lines and mysterious guitar, getting further stabilization when the drums switch from torpid to steadfast routines, joining an inexorable guitar figure to offer rhythmic support to the three-horn activity. The latter piece, instead, dives into a simmering prog-metal procedure with scattered focuses on noise. There’s a passage where the vocals of Angelica Bess and Sarah Pedinotti are in strict communication with Naylor’s guitar, while in another, the raw, industrious rhythm laid down by electric bassist Nicholas Jozwiak and drummer Raphael Pannier serves Shiffer’s soloing ferocity.

The group builds a triumphant conclusion with “Leverage”, an electro-avant-pop piece rhythmically exacerbated by the circularity of Alec Spiegelman’s baritone saxophone and where concurrent alto sax and guitar statements ultimately harmonize.

Controlling the density of the ideas being tossed into the swirl, Naylor manages to create a satisfying work that should resonate with anyone interested in eclectic contemporary jazz.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Export For Screens ► 03 - Surrender ► 06 - Riddlin’