Enveloping the listener in an esoteric aura of calm in an almost chaotic way, the seven-piece group consisting of Greg Spero, Joel Ross, Marquis Hill, Makaya McCraven, Irvin Pierce, Jeff Parker and Darryl Jones show an underappreciated portion of jazz done in a both traditional and modern style in their new single, ‘Cloud Jam’.

When you think about a relaxing song, you would immediately imagine something along the likes of long soothing chords, floating melodies and subdued rhythms (or even the lack thereof). In ‘Cloud Jam’, the musicians took a totally different approach. You’re greeted, soft basses that sit so low in the soundscape, but what immediately comes off as strange is the busy, tight rhythms played on a drumkit. Listening to them in isolation would not welcome the instrumentation that plays beneath it, but it works insanely well within the grander context. The piano chords repeating the same counter-melody, fading in and out, with pedal tones played by the vibraphone almost sounding like a wind chime is breathtaking. Then comes Marquis, the king at what he does, playing the simplest-yet-perfect melody on his trumpet, layered with an octave harmony down to give the sounds all the more foundation. In the different instrumentalists, there’s an exploration of harmony that goes beyond the grasp of what’s immediately available to them, bringing a slight air of tension in the composition without an explicit release, which in its own way mimics rest. One doesn’t simply lay their head down on a soft pillow and drift to sleep – thoughts run through your mind before you’re able to shoo them away, some thoughts harmonious and some not. This was beautifully portrayed in the composition.

‘Cloud Jam’ is a callback to the sounds mastered by Chick Corea and his likes, but uses the production and musicality available by a modern standard. It portrays a soothing showmanship of all these talents doing what they do best without being blatant.

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.