Jeff Coffin Mu'tet: Into the Air (2012)

Mark F. Turner

Senior Contributor since 2001

Considering himself a modern day 'Jazz Explorer' Mark continues to discover new and exciting music territories.

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Published: October 4, 2012

Emmy Award-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin is a venerable road warrior who's probably more recognized for his work in the high profile bands of banjoist Bela Fleck Bela Fleck
b.1958
banjo and singer/songwriter Rashawn Ross (trumpet for Dave Matthews) Rashawn Ross (trumpet for Dave Matthews)
, playing to stadiums of 30,000 screaming fans. But he's also at home performing in venues that hold 300 appreciative enthusiasts with his Mu'tet—a longtime ensemble that espouses Coffin's philosophy that music must change and mutate in order to evolve. Into the Air continues Coffin's evolution of progressive music .

Whether providing horn arrangements that sing a soulful lament in "A Half Sleep" or slipping down seedy back alleyways in the stealthy "U Don't Say," the release exudes a carefree mantra, its tracks spiced with the varied ingredients of old-school funk, blues, gospel, and other music elements, as well as earnest jazz musicianship.

The release profits from taut arrangements and tunes that have been chiseled on the road by a cast that includes veterans such as drummer Jeff Sipe Jeff Sipe
and artful Benin-born jazz star guitarist Lionel Loueke Lionel Loueke
b.1973
guitar on two tracks. The surprise, though, is found in the sinewy electric bass lines from Felix Pastorius Felix Pastorius
(son of the great Jaco Pastorius Jaco Pastorius
1951 - 1987
bass, electric ), whose dexterous playing stands firmly on its own in regards to his esteemed namesake. His riff on "Lucky 13" is killer.

The Mu'tet delivers more than just jam band riffs covering the sounds of trumpeter Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet or keyboardist Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock
b.1940
piano 's 80s' electric days in "8 Bit Goggles," as Coffin spaces out on electro-saxophone, or the equally far out "Slow Glass," as the horns harmonize in a languid stew. Then there's "Lucky 13" and "Loueke," which make good use of the guitarist's cunning chops and unique African voicings.

Track Listing: A Half Sleep; U Don't Say; Lucky 13; Backin' Up; 8 Bit Goggles; Slow Glass; Loueke; Low Spark; Ride (Redux); Beautiful Flower.

Personnel: Jeff Coffin: saxophone,; Jeff ‘Apt. Q-258’ Sipe: drums, percussion; Kofi Burbridge: keyboard, flute; Felix Pastorius: electric bass; Bill ‘the Spaceman’ Fanning: trumpet, space trumpet; Lionel Loueke: electric guitar, voice (3, 7).

Record Label: Ear Up Records
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock