Calling an EP Atomic Escalator brews expectations of hipster lounge jazz, and Los Angeles-based musician Cole Jacobs doesn't disappoint in arriving with the goods. Jacobs locates the twilight zone between smooth and acid jazz on Atomic Escalator, unveiling characteristics of both stylistic offshoots in a breezy, snappy manner. It is easily among the year's most colorfully inventive and irresistibly engaging releases, brimming with slick, chilled-out grooves.
However, even Jacobs himself has difficulty in explaining exactly how he should be categorized in the jazz world. “Atomic Escalator is definitely contemporary jazz or in the acid jazz style, but that still could mean a lot of things to different people," Jacobs explained. “I've tried to come up with a more specific description of my music and as best I can describe it is that it is very influenced by Blue Note '60s-styled soul-jazz, Italian cinema, and easy listening. I've also heard it described as 'Euro-lounge.' At least that's the best I can come up with for now."
Indeed, Jacobs' music stitches together various genres to weave its unpredictable patterns. “Green Eyes," for example, reveals the unmistakable influence of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, best known for his striking spaghetti western scores for director Sergio Leone, in Jacob's atmospheric guitars. Nevertheless, “Green Eyes" can still be classified as smooth jazz despite the Italian undertones. Ross Walters' comforting saxophone provides it with mainstream accessibility. On “Midnight Matinee," Jacobs' guitar playing shifts from bluesy introspection to soothing jazz. For all of Jacobs' style-hopping experimentalism, Atomic Escalator has mass appeal.
“I think everything you listen to comes out in your playing," Jacobs said. In the case of Atomic Escalator, his inspirations, as diverse as they are, have managed to blend together with the gentle flow of a waterfall. Atomic Escalator proves how flexible jazz is if the artist, such as Jacobs, is courageous enough to bust open the walls of the imagination.
Special Guest Artists: Karen Hernandez—piano on “Lorelei"
Maria Jacobs—Vocals on “Lorelei"
Calabria Foti—Vocals on “Atomic Escalator" and “Green Eyes"
Ross Walters (saxophone) appears courtesy of Playcool Records and plays Cannonball saxophones with Vandoren reeds and mouthpieces.
However, even Jacobs himself has difficulty in explaining exactly how he should be categorized in the jazz world. “Atomic Escalator is definitely contemporary jazz or in the acid jazz style, but that still could mean a lot of things to different people," Jacobs explained. “I've tried to come up with a more specific description of my music and as best I can describe it is that it is very influenced by Blue Note '60s-styled soul-jazz, Italian cinema, and easy listening. I've also heard it described as 'Euro-lounge.' At least that's the best I can come up with for now."
Indeed, Jacobs' music stitches together various genres to weave its unpredictable patterns. “Green Eyes," for example, reveals the unmistakable influence of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, best known for his striking spaghetti western scores for director Sergio Leone, in Jacob's atmospheric guitars. Nevertheless, “Green Eyes" can still be classified as smooth jazz despite the Italian undertones. Ross Walters' comforting saxophone provides it with mainstream accessibility. On “Midnight Matinee," Jacobs' guitar playing shifts from bluesy introspection to soothing jazz. For all of Jacobs' style-hopping experimentalism, Atomic Escalator has mass appeal.
“I think everything you listen to comes out in your playing," Jacobs said. In the case of Atomic Escalator, his inspirations, as diverse as they are, have managed to blend together with the gentle flow of a waterfall. Atomic Escalator proves how flexible jazz is if the artist, such as Jacobs, is courageous enough to bust open the walls of the imagination.
Special Guest Artists: Karen Hernandez—piano on “Lorelei"
Maria Jacobs—Vocals on “Lorelei"
Calabria Foti—Vocals on “Atomic Escalator" and “Green Eyes"
Ross Walters (saxophone) appears courtesy of Playcool Records and plays Cannonball saxophones with Vandoren reeds and mouthpieces.
