Around this time last year, I was fortunate to catch a remarkable set by Alfa Mist, who enthralled a Toronto crowd of around 100 with his talented band and their exciting take on contemporary jazz. The artist has said that new album Variables, his second for ANTI-, was influenced by "the freedom of returning to gigs," making for some of the most active music he's ever cut to tape.
Compared to the meditative beginnings of predecessor Bring Backs, opener "Foreward" wastes little time shaking listeners alert with its big band melody, as Alfa's keys work with an undulating rhythm section to set the stage for the ensemble's expressive soloists. Inversely, it's the drums of Jas Kayser that lead on the similarly expansive "The Gist," her perfectly pocketed groove guiding the colourful, intricate melodics that are fast becoming Alfa's signature.
Joining Alfa onstage in Toronto that night were bassist/vocalist Kaya Thomas-Dyke and guitarist Jamie Leeming, two longtime collaborators intrinsic to the band's artistry both in that moment and now on Variables. Thomas-Dyke — also the mind behind Alfa Mist's painted cover artwork — remains foundational in her rock-solid approach to the low end across the album, while landing a lengthier showcase for her dreamy lead vocals atop the gentle grooves of the wistful "Aged Eyes." Leeming, meanwhile, remains a compelling player whether in shorter, impressionistic moments like "Cycles" or at length with the free improv lead work of closing burner "BC." A highlight for the pair is their rhythmic navigation of "Apho," backing the feather-light vocals of South African folk singer Bongeziwe Mabandla.
Even with the studio band welcoming returning players from Bring Backs like trumpeter Johnny Woodham, bass clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Sam Rapley and percussionist Junior Ali-Balogun, Alfa Mist strikes a balance on Variables between what brought him to this point as a bandleader and an energetic push toward an even bolder musical future.
(ANTI- Records)Compared to the meditative beginnings of predecessor Bring Backs, opener "Foreward" wastes little time shaking listeners alert with its big band melody, as Alfa's keys work with an undulating rhythm section to set the stage for the ensemble's expressive soloists. Inversely, it's the drums of Jas Kayser that lead on the similarly expansive "The Gist," her perfectly pocketed groove guiding the colourful, intricate melodics that are fast becoming Alfa's signature.
Joining Alfa onstage in Toronto that night were bassist/vocalist Kaya Thomas-Dyke and guitarist Jamie Leeming, two longtime collaborators intrinsic to the band's artistry both in that moment and now on Variables. Thomas-Dyke — also the mind behind Alfa Mist's painted cover artwork — remains foundational in her rock-solid approach to the low end across the album, while landing a lengthier showcase for her dreamy lead vocals atop the gentle grooves of the wistful "Aged Eyes." Leeming, meanwhile, remains a compelling player whether in shorter, impressionistic moments like "Cycles" or at length with the free improv lead work of closing burner "BC." A highlight for the pair is their rhythmic navigation of "Apho," backing the feather-light vocals of South African folk singer Bongeziwe Mabandla.
Even with the studio band welcoming returning players from Bring Backs like trumpeter Johnny Woodham, bass clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Sam Rapley and percussionist Junior Ali-Balogun, Alfa Mist strikes a balance on Variables between what brought him to this point as a bandleader and an energetic push toward an even bolder musical future.