Saxophonist Josh Johnson has emerged as one of the leading creative voices in the burgeoning modern jazz community. His style skids between the expressive, spiritual nature of John Coltrane, but also the heady and intellectual world of Wayne Shorter. And add to that his penchant for using effects to create otherworldly noises with his horn and you can throw Hendrix on top of that pile of creative fire.
Johnson has been a part of some of the most intriguing and beguiling jazz records of the past several years; Jeff Parker’s Enfield Tennis Academy Quartet records(Mondays At The Enfield Tennis Academy, The Way Out Of Easy, Happy Today), Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes, Openness Trio, SML, and even Flea’s Honora. His work can feel both traditional and out there. His feet firmly planted in both the ghosts of the past and the visions of the future.
On his newest album -the excellent Animative– Johnson collects DNA from all of his previous work into a beautifully intimate and inspired modern jazz album. It’s one of the best albums of the year.
“Idiofone” opens the record with a busy, optimistic sort of chaos. Johnson’s saxophone works in repetition which brings to mind a composer like Steve Reich. Pretty soon the sax goes off on it’s own tangent to beautiful effect. “Reece” brings to mind jazz greats like Terence Blanchard, espousing an almost 80s “vibe”, if you will. Reminiscent of the work Blanchard did with Spike Lee on his first few movies. The heavily-effected sax has a woozy, wavering feel to it as if it could disappear into thin air at any minute.
From the vibrant and rhythmically curious “Jazz Chord Possession” to the understated and lovely “Aughts Hymnal” to the ethereal “It Can Be Everywhere”, Johnson and his assembled group of forward-thinking musicians lay out some of the most interesting jazz this year. “Strays” sings in optimistic melodicism while closer “Upstairs 2021” gives us insight as to why Johnson is such a sought after collaborator in the jazz community and beyond.
Animative is a stunning listen start to finish, and Josh Johnson is a name to remember.
‘Animative’ is out now and available over at International Anthem Records Co.
