Lakecia Benjamin: Phoenix

The previous album by saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, Pursuance: The Coltranes, (Ropeadope, 2020) was a multifaceted tribute to the music of both John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane. Her new album takes on societal and human issues with similar diversity but in a more compact and organized manner. It moves from a socially aware mix of soul, R'n'B, and jazz fusion in its first half to full-blown spiritual jazz in its second.

The album begins with the sound of sirens and a recording of author Angela Davis talking about the importance of women to society's future. The following first few tracks are cinematic jazz-funk. Benjamin's multi-tracked alto squeals over serpentine rhythms and mixes with layers of voices and synthesizers on "Amerikkan Skin," "New Morning" and "Phoenix." That all leads into "Mercy," a sumptuous string-laden ballad sung by Dianne Reeves, and the up-tempo jazz fusion of "Jubiliaton" where the bright piano of guest Patrice Rushen mixes it up with Benjamin's saxophone.

"Peace Is A Haiku Song" has Sonia Sanchez reciting her poetry over the fast-stepping bass of Ivan Taylor. Her words then become an element in the thick sonic fabric of the following song, "Blast" which is held together by a funky march beat. Then, on the next few tracks, the music changes to searing acoustic jazz by a basic quartet of Benjamin, Taylor, pianist Victor Gould, and drummer E.J. Strickland with occasional help from trumpeter Josh Evans. "Moods" burns hot and fast while the more leisurely "Rebirth" shows off the full-bodied beauty of Benjamin's alto tone and the sparkle of Gould's piano, and "Trane" channels the prayerful exultation of John Coltrane's classic quartet. After a few electronically enhanced thoughts from Wayne Shorter, "Basquait" struts sassily with alto and trumpet bursting out over a steady walking rhythm. The piece sounds like a vintage Shorter composition from his late Blue Note period.

This album shows how adept Benjamin has become at creating populist soul and funk with depth as well as high-flying straight-ahead jazz. It solidifies her standing as an up-and-coming musical force.