Beth McKenna: Beyond Here
ByLike many artists, McKenna soaks up the world around her: "Individuals, actions and ideas that radiate out and change the world far beyond what it is directly in front of us," she says in her liner notes. In doing so she has created a suite-like sixty-five minutes worth of music, from the dreamy opener, the modernistic "Into: Beyond Here," featuring the leader's sweet sounding soprano saxophone (shades of Wayne Shorter), to "Perspective," a jazzier sound with McKenna's robust tenor sax out front.
"Street Of Mexico City" glows with life, and hereand across much of the discthe quintet's guitarist, Francois Jalbert, adds sweeping, subtle effects that elevate the music beautifully. And throw inon this particular cuta rollicking piano solo by Guillaume Martineau, before night falls on those streets and McKenna's muscular saxophone moves in out of the shadows, alongside some fervent vocalese from guest Sarah Rossy that enlivens the mix.
"Tides" sounds as if it is flowing in from a surreal dimension, and "Ele(ctro)phante," the set's closer, has a Sly and the Family Stone meets Jimi Hendrix funk vibe, moving off a bit from the suite-like mood of the first thirteen tracks, in the most stimulating, dance-inducing way.
Track Listing
Intro: Beyond Here; Perspectives; Interlude: Not Alone; Streets Of Mexico City; Interlude: Finding A Place; Far From Familiar Ground; McKennaTides; Divided To One; Interlude: Indifference; Letting Go; Interlude: Human Malfunction; Running Out; After The Storm; Ele(tro)phant.
Personnel
Beth McKenna: saxophone, tenor; Francois Jalbert: guitar, electric; Guillaume Matineau: piano; Olivier Babaz: percussion; Peter Colantonio: drums.
Additional Instrumentation
Beth McKenna: flute, clarinet; Gulliame Matineau: NORD, Wurlitzer, Rhodes; Sarah Rossy: vocals (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13).
Album information
Title: Beyond Here | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced
Post a comment about this album
FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

WE NEED YOUR HELP
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.About Beth McKenna
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar Artists