Label: Imani Records, 2024
Personnel - Isaiah Collier: saxophones, vocals, percussion; Julian Davis Reid: piano; Jeremiah Hunt: bass; Michael Ode: drums // Guests include Kentheny Redman: flute (#3,10), Corey Wilkes: trumpet; Ed Wilkerson Jr.: alto clarinet, and more.
Saxophonist and composer Isaiah Collier’s latest outing, The World is On Fire, is a passionate plea for change, using the power of his infectious music to address pressing global issues like racism, genocide, abuse of power, and injustice. Relying on the dazzling rhythm section of his flagship band, The Chosen Few, Collier continues his meteoric rise on the left side of the jazz spectrum with an album that urges everyone to stand up for what’s right.
The opening cut, “The Time is Now”, is an effusive modal piece energetically introduced by pianist Julian Davis Reid before bursting into a frenzied swing. Collier’s commanding tenor saxophone, evocative of jazz modalists like Billy Harper and McCoy Tyner, takes center stage with eloquence. Following Reid’s solo, it’s the drummer Michael Ode who hits with the force of a tornado. In “The Hate You Give is the Love You Lose”, the trio channels Pharoah Sanders’ spiritual energy, blending folk-like saxophone melodies with a brisk 3/4 rhythm that moves with raw intensity.
The title track, “The World is On Fire”, inspired by the Amazon wildfires, takes the form of a pure modal blues introduced by vigorous, blocky piano chords and crashing cymbals. An energetic riff spirals atop a manic, danceable rhythmic flux before some fierce exchanges between Collier and Reid. “Crash”, a reflection on economic collapse, pulses with frenetic energy, especially in a wild section where gusty saxophone squalls come upon a whirlwind of drums.
The quartet moves nimbly and confidently on “Ahmud Arbery”, a mournful mid-tempo 3/4 groover set on fire by visceral and urgent saxophone playing. Guest flutist Kentheny Redman joins for “Amerikkka the Ugly”, whose swinging posture and strong bluesy feel serve to express disillusion over the shameful attempt against American democracy on January 6th. Here, bassist Jeremiah Hunt delivers an emotional arco improvisation, infusing extra solemnity, while Collier takes flight on the soprano sax.
The quartet is expanded with revived positivity for the album’s closer, “We Don’t Even Know Where We’re Headed”, which, moved by a buoyant riff and lyrics by Kennedy Banks, incorporates layers of trumpet, bass clarinet, harp, cello, flutes, and multiple vocal harmonies. Collier’s clarity of vision and bold compositional approach shine throughout, making The World is On Fire a must-listen for fans of post-bop with vanguard jazz inclination.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Time is Now ► 05 - The Hate You Give is the Love You Lose ► 06 - Crash ► 09 - The World is on Fire