For Bright New Day (available June 21), bassist and composer
Charnett Moffett’s seventh recording for Motéma Music and 16th as a bandleader
overall, the virtuoso musician spearheads a genre-transcendent program that
explores a wide range of sound, style, and emotion from the lyrical “Holy
Spirit” and uplifting “O My God Elohim” to the urgent funk-rock of “Free the
Slaves,” (which features an especially cathartic electric fuzz bass solo by the
leader). Included in this potent collection of eight originals are two Ornette
Coleman/harmolodic-inspired jams, “Netting” and the exhilarating “Bright New
Day,” plus two thoughtful odes to the elements in “Precious Air” and
“Waterfalls.”
The album represents a continuation in the leader’s
explorative body of work, and is uniquely distinguished from Moffett’s prior
recordings by featuring him strictly on fretless electric bass guitar. “After
doing several tours in Europe with my electric bass I found myself really
motivated to do this,” said the artist, who has gained much of his acclaim as
an upright bass virtuoso. “I thought, ‘Why not do an all electric album?’ And
so, I did. It’s definitely a different kind of record. We made it in spirit and
truth and it represents a new time of my life.”
Moffett’s signature soloistic quality is apparent throughout
Bright New Day as he unleashes melodies and riffs on the frontline alongside
rising star violinist Scott Tixier and guitarist Jana Herzen. Rounding out the
exceptional new quintet is the much in demand drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. and
veteran keyboardist Brian Jackson.
The new unit has a strong ensemble feel with Herzen
alternately doubling Moffett’s electric bass lines and floating in half-time
against the bubbling groove in classic harmolodic fashion. “The bass and guitar
represent the frontline, like a trumpet and a sax, as far as the approach,”
said Moffett. “If you check out the tune ‘Netting,’ it’s obviously
Ornette-influenced and we’re approaching it as if it could be Don Cherry and
Ornette playing that melody.”
Tixier contributes sparkling solos throughout the album and
engages in expressive call-and-response with Moffett on a couple of tunes,
including the buoyant 6/8 jam “Set It Free.” Jackson’s contributions in the
rhythm section are vital as he provides the cascading momentum underneath the
reflective “Waterfalls,” helps fuel the driving “Free the Slaves” and channels
his inner McCoy Tyner on his solo to “Holy Spirit.”
Whitfield demonstrates an interactive touch from track to
track and slams with authority on the funk rock-ish “Free the Slaves,” (about
freeing your mindset) on which Moffett contributes impassioned vocals and
unleashes mind-boggling solo chops. Throughout the program, Moffett
stylistically alternates between lyrical, singing fretless lines and creative
rock-solid grooves. Herzen, who is also the founder of Motéma Music and has
worked with Moffett in a variety of contexts, comments that, “Playing in this
ensemble is liberating and requires total presence. The music is not created
from a fixed position, so we have to keep our ears keenly tuned and react
quickly to each shift in the musical current.” Herzen’s vocals are also
featured on her composition “Precious Air” which the leader included on the
album to represent the breath of life.
“I composed this album with intention to create emotional
uplift and healing vibrations,” explains Moffett. “Each composition came out of
an emotional feeling that I needed to express or address at an exceptionally
challenging time in my life.” The album is also an improvisational jazz
experience that specifically explores the intertwining relationships between
freedom and structure. “Each composition here operates on a different set of
musical laws that I asked the players to follow when using their instruments to
express the harmonies, rhythms, melodies and flows between structured sections
and improvisations.”
The recording is one of Moffett’s most fully realized to
date and represents a new chapter in his music and humanity. “For me, Bright
New Day is an album that is both for and about life, “he relates. “A story of
feeling dedicated to any human being in the world who’s ever lost someone they
love... and also to any human being who’s ever found someone they love.”
‘Bright New Day’ was recorded on August 17, 2018 by Sascha
Von Oertzen at the Bridge Studio in. Brooklyn. The album was mixed by Sascha Von Oertzen and
mastered by Alan Silverman at Ariel Studios in New York. Additional mixing for “Precious
Air” was done by
Aki
Nishimura, Alan Silverman and Paul Rollnick.
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