Around these parts, the tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis is best known for his work with the Messthetics, the jazz-rock trio featuring Fugazi's rhythm section. But like many jazz artists, he's way too prolific to be contained to one lane. Just two months ago, Lewis' quartet released the spiritually charged Omni. Now he's already back to announce another new LP.
Out in October, Calling Antonín is Lewis' third album leading the combo known as Red Lily. The other players are Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Melanie Dyer on viola, Tomeka Reid on cello, Joshua Abrams on bass, and Chad Taylor on drums — a formidable ensemble for anyone with even a passing knowledge of the modern jazz landscape. Each Red Lily album is an homage to a historical figure who has been an inspiration in Lewis' life. In the case of Calling Antonín, it's the 19th century Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, whose work was informed by the folk songs of his own country and the United States, where he lived and worked for three years.
The album's lead single, "Dilemma Of Hearts," begins as a slow head-bob groove at the intersection of jazz, classical, and hip-hop. It soon evolves into swirling, skronking chaos, combusting and unfurling without losing sight of its original form. Listen below.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Spirit Of The Living God"
02 "Lento"
03 "Dilemma Of Hearts"
04 "Calling Antonín"
05 "Going Home"
06 "Ode to P.L.D."
07 "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me"
08 "Finale - Humoresque"
09 "O' Rebicku"
Calling Antonín is out 10/23 on TAO Forms. Pre-order it here.
