Bob Dee's Cosmosis: New Moon

Bob Dee's Cosmosis releases New Moon as an instrumental album that explores modern creative jazz with soulful undertones. Led by guitarist and composer Bob Dee, the project features seven tracks that blend exploratory melodies with rhythmic depth, displaying the group's considerable technical abilities.

The opener "Prajñā," sets a radiant tone with John Isley's luscious flute lines amid the leader's melodic jazz soloing and the quasi-Latin undertones from drummer Greg Joseph and Michael Bates' walking bass lines. The arrangement demonstrates clear compositional thought, though it treads familiar ground with confident steps. "Hidden Places" offers textured soundscapes that evoke mystery and quiet discovery, thanks to Fung Chern Hwei's cyclical violin passages. The band shows dynamic range during the bridge, revealing their ability to shift gears when the moment calls for it.

"Tones for Your Bones" introduces earthier elements with solid groove work. Dee investigates melodic riffs while the rhythm section provides steady support, gradually building momentum. On "O Laborum Dulce Lenimen," the leader weaves intricate guitar phrases atop a spirited foundation that accentuates the ensemble's cohesive interplay.

Overall, the album delivers solid craftsmanship and genuine emotional resonance, making it an engaging listen for jazz enthusiasts. It highlights Dee's compositional skill and the group's musical chemistry, though it operates comfortably within established genre boundaries. The album succeeds through polished execution and heartfelt expression, even if it does not venture into uncharted territory.

Everything sits in its designated frequency range with admirable precision, though this same courtesy occasionally robs the music of potential friction. A touch more adventurous spirit might have served these compositions well, particularly given their cosmic themes. The group clearly demonstrates mastery of their instruments and chosen aesthetic—one simply wishes they might occasionally choose to venture a bit further into the vast cosmos they are so skillfully mapping.

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