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The Eternals: Espiritu Zombi
ByReturning longtime drummer for The Eternals Areif Sless-Kitain is joined by multiple heroes of the Chicago jazz and improvised scene, bassist Matthew Lux, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, cornetist Josh Berman of the Exploding Star Orchestra, saxophonist Nick Mazzarella (Audio One), flutist Nate Leoine (Herculaneum), and Tomeka Reid and Jeanine O'Toole on vocals.
The vibe here captures the African diaspora in jazz/rock, funk, tropicália, soul, and psychedelia. They might be best described as a cross between the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and Rob Mazurek's experiments in Mandarin Movie and São Paulo Underground. Each piece of their zombie spirit puzzle delivers a powerful message of a post-apocalyptic world over a danceable rhythmic beat.
The aforementioned adventurist listeners may come for the message, but stay for the music, or come for the music and stay for the message. Adasiewicz adds his vibraphone and horn arrangements for Berman, Leoine, and Mazzarella. All are well proportioned and groovy-heavy. The nine tracks flow from chorale opening to the afro-beat section, to the pop hooks, and some tightly arranged horns that spill out into improvised thunder of driving bass and percussion. Listening to
Track Listing
Opening Scene (Opening Seams); Makeshift Satellite; Destroy The Body; Unseen Force; Blackout!; Espiritu Zombi; Misshapen Darkness Of Night; The Last Moment; The End Has Begun.
Personnel
Damon Locks: vocals; Wayne Montana: guitar; Areif Sless-Kitain: drums; Matt Lux: bass; Jason Adasiewicz: vibraphone; Josh Berman: cornet; Nick Mazzarella: alto saxophone; Nate Lepine: flute; Tomeka Reid: vocals; Jeanine O'Toole: vocals.
Album information
Title: Espiritu Zombi | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: New Atlantis Records