Tina Raymond: Divinations

Drummer Tina Raymond possesses a buoyant momentum and contemporary polyrhythmic sense of swing which has a listener skidding along one moment and bopping down the next. She owns a rock 'n roll snap in her wrists which keeps the energy high-spirited all the way.

Raymond, whose wanderlust CV includes her first album as a leader—Left Right Left (Orenad, 2017)—plus working with wily pianist and composer Rachel Eckroth—Humanoid (Sam First, 2023)—and as a founding member of the equally fiery and elusive Esthesis Quartet—Time Zones (Ears & Eyes Records, 2023); Esthesis Quartet (Orenda, 2022)—leads Divinations with a strong, yet open hand.

Starting as if it was already in the middle of a prolonged jam, "Swainson's Hawk" sets the pulse early, as Raymond and powered-up bassist Karl McComas-Reichl subtly bulldoze a path for guitarist Andrew Renfroe's cutting sonics. Renfroe, himself coming from working with Eckroth and fast-rising trumpeter Keyon Harrold, slides into the rushing rhythm current with earthy finesse, his tone reminiscent of many, yet as of-the- moment as Raymond's own. It is an effusive six-plus minutes, paving the way for the jaunty sustained samba "Eight of Wands."

As much a spotlight on Raymond's commanding compositional athletics as "Swainson's Hawk," "Eight of Wands" carries itself along masterfully, its energy never lagging. The cranking crunch of Renfroe's guitar powers Raymond's "The Emperor." McComas-Reichl's bass is an insinuating presence here, moving about the drummer's balanced code and Renfroe's controlled attack. Raymond's solo here is a statement of percussive intent, bringing her whole set to the fore.

As if needing to slow the pace down and catch their collective breath, the trio slows things down on the rubato "The Lovers." The rolling cascade of "Seven of Wands" features thrilling solos, one again from the ever dexterous Raymond who leans in a little heavier this time, as if she was giving voice to her inner Keith Moon, and a hands down, deep veined solo from McComas-Reichl. With each track inspired by the tarot, the drummer's sixth and final original "Ace of Pentangles" wraps Divinations as a complete whole, and serves as notice that Raymond will be heard from plenty in the future. Keep listening.