Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gerald Cleaver: The Process

Gerald Cleaver: The Process

By Mark Corroto
October 7, 2024
View read count

Will the latest offering by Gerald Cleaver quiet the haters and jackals? Listeners accustomed to his drum work with Craig Taborn, William Parker, Daniel Carter, JD Allen, etc. etc., might believe they have to make a choice, one similar to the historic divide Miles Davis created when he went electric. Starting with Cleaver's recordings for Positive Elevation Records—Signs (2020), followed by Griots (2021), and 22/23 (2023)—he has ventured into the realms of modular electronics, machine drumming and synthesizers.

While haters gonna hate, The Process just might convert a few never-electric listeners. Cleaver, raised in Detroit, must certainly have absorbed the city's soul, electronic and house music traditions. This feel for groove and pulse has been evident in his earliest sideman work with the likes of Roscoe Mitchell, Chris Lightcap, and Matthew Shipp. None of that rhythm is lost in this deep dive into programming.

Unlike the prior releases referred to above, which were made up of mostly short, compact tracks that often felt like experiments, The Process is one long (36+ minute) composition. Artists like The Orb, Squarepusher and Aphex Twin might be a reference here, but an improvised music fan's bias comes into play with the choices Cleaver utilizes. He does not simply program and push play but orchestrates the pulse and layers of sounds. While other techno is best absorbed as background sounds, Cleaver's creation takes center stage.

Track Listing

The Process.

Personnel

Gerald Cleaver

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Gerald Cleaver: electronics.

Album information

Title: The Process | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Postitive Elevation

PREVIOUS / NEXT

19-29
< Previous

Bill Goodwin: In and Out of the Cont...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.