The Noboru Jones Experience: The J.O.B.

The Noboru Jones Experience is an eclectic, international trio consisting of percussionist, and California native, Noboru Jones, Swedish guitarist Lutte Berg and Italian saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano. The haunting, exquisite blending of acoustic and electronic sounds on The J.O.B. creates a heavy wash of emotion, high in intensity, yet ethereal and meditative.

The disc's six collaborative pieces are all experimental in nature. The opening track, "The Middlesex, combines Jones' slow grooving funk with uplifting melodic flourishes. "Lullaby patiently builds to an exciting climax with Ottaviano's wordless vocalizing and Berg's distorted wailing. "Take the Five and "Hard Road both feature Berg's rock guitar influence, an abundance of electronic sounds and Ottaviano's inspired soprano and alto saxophone improvising. Berg's acoustic guitar riffs conjure up a bluegrass, country feel on "Nothing is Lost, before Jones interrupts with keyboard flourishes and transforms the setting into an urban landscape. Through the magic of overdubbing, Berg trades ideas with himself on "The Guitar Song, a lyrical lament, highlighted by Jones' layered sound spectrum.

The J.O.B. is an invigorating, collaborative effort. Jones, Berg and Ottaviano improvise with intuitiveness, keeping the focus on the overall group sound. The resulting music is highly focused and poignant, full of urgency and optimism.