Jason Stein: Anchors

Jason Stein would never in a million years characterize Anchors as his variation of A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1965). But a comparison can be made. John Coltrane's quartet recording was the most personal and profound statement of his career. The same can be said for Stein and Anchors. He had taken time off from recording and performing due to some chronic pain that plagued him. Stein set about diving deeply into the body, studying massage, specifically trigger point therapy, practicing breathing techniques, and taking cold water plunges. One suspects Wim Hof may have been involved by some means in Stein's journey and transformation.

Anchors is the outcome and account of his metamorphosis. Together with the mysterious and otherwise unidentified producer (and guitarist on "Anchor"), Boon, Stein returns to his healing journey in a trio with bassist Joshua Abrams and drummer Gerald Cleaver. While this is the first encounter with Cleaver, Stein has been a regular member of Abrams' Natural Information Society, and the bassist can also be heard in the Jason Stein Quartet.

Opening and closing the disc are two gentle duos, "Anchor I" and "Anchor II." Both Stein's bass clarinet and Boon's guitar whisper a quiet soothing song as pacific foundations for the album's principal statement. The chronic pain Stein experianced is captured with "An Origin." His horn repeats an almost unending loop of overblown notes, and it seems he may never exit this cycle. His investigation opens with "Crystalline." The fragility of Stein's attack is paralleled by Abrams' bowed bass and Cleaver's cymbal work. As the piece evolves, it forms into ice, from its pieces and parts with Abrams plucking notes and Cleaver striking skins. When Stein enters the icy "Cold Water" his reaction is shock and the trio mimics the panic and adrenaline surge the experience entails. With time and experience, the participants in this cold plunge relax and allow their bodies to acclimatize, and so does the music, finding peace. Stein's inhale/exhale meditation "Holding Breath" opens with air passing through his horn without notes. As the composition progresses, the trio respires deeply, allowing all to get lost in this meditative groove. Jason Stein's transformational journey makes for an oustanding listening experiance.