For those of you following my work in reviewing music, you might wonder how I decide what albums to review in this new video format and which I would prefer to write about on PopMatters. Sometimes, I think that my words alone can’t describe the music accurately and people need to HEAR it.
That is the case with Star Mountain by the Otherlands Trio. The alto saxophone of Darius Jones is a truly sonic experience. His brilliance is not just in the notes or rhythms that he uses to express himself, but the very unique sound that he creates on his horn. His signature is recognizable but not narrowly defined. You have to listen to appreciate his powerful tone, his facility in the altissimo register, and his ability to generate musicality using advanced techniques.
Much the same is true with this terrific rhythm section. Crump and McPherson have previously partnered with pianist Kris Davis as the Borderlands Trio, and this new album is an extension of their sensibility. It is bracing, adventurous, and a marvel of how pure improvisation does not mean a lack of structure.
