Jeff Richman: XYZ

XYZ could perhaps reference any number of things. Sparing us that rabbit hole, in this case it references boundaries pushed to their fullest extent with some exceptional new music from fusion guitarist Jeff Richman. Richman's previous release, Sizzle (Nefer Records 2017) was/is a record that lives up to its name. There is something to be said about not putting out a record every eighteen months, twenty-four months, or any other calendar-driven period. It would seem that Richman threw away the calendar and waited until he had something to say. A superb record, such as XYZ, is surely worth the investment of time.

All new material, mostly written by Richman, is enriched by a collection of some of the industry's finest musicians. The rhythm section alone reaches the gold standard, with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmy Haslip. Keyboardists George Whitty, Scott Kinsey, Mitchel Forman and Otmaro Ruiz all bring their unique expressionism to the mix as does trumpet soloist Jeff Beal.

Notable on this record is that Richman's always distinctive signature sound finds itself at home in a variety of genres. Richman blends his chops into jazz, Latin, rock, funk, blues, and more. This is a true fusion gem in that it incorporates so many sounds. Well-sequenced, it never sounds as if it is bouncing from one direction or genre to another. It all just comes together organically. Part of that is the clever usage of four talented keyboardists. Their variant range of substance and style makes transitions smooth and alters the chemistry in a sublimely flavorful manner.

Richman indeed had something to say on all nine tunes. While he has long had a deep vocabulary, it is beautiful to hear an artist expand with an intelligent edge. His improvisational and conversational levels continue to ignite throughout the record. This is in no small part due to the work of Haslip and Colaiuta. They are masterful at knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. The backbone of this record is the core trio. They all speak the same language. Consequently, this combined vocabulary is imparted emotionally, playfully, with heart, with vigor, and with softness, in every way imaginable. Tunes such as "Left Right Here" and "Ray Barretto" (dedicated of course to the legendary percussionist), at times, seem to delightfully go a little past the imaginable. Haslip's solo on the latter takes the tempo down with sophistication. His elongated and melodic notes are met at their conclusion by Richman's blazing axe. As for Colaiuta, his delicate to blazing presence is all over this record. He brings to mind the old Weather Report line of "we never solo, we always solo."

As always, Richman is melodically engaged and precision oriented. He is masterful at making subtle changes that lead to profound and dynamic influences within the scope of his material. His seventeenth record as a leader, XYZ, is both the continuation and maturation of Jeff Richman's historical impact on the fusion genre. While complexities gloriously abound, Richman is skillful in the art of instrumental storytelling. As a composer, arranger, and musician, it would seem clear that Richman dug deep and put everything he had into this one.