ALBUM OF THE DAY
Album of the Day: Mark de Clive-Lowe, “Heritage II”
By David R. Adler · May 07, 2019

On this companion to Heritage, which was released in February, keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe further explores the Japanese side of his dual Japanese-New Zealander identity, drawing on the sound of traditional music from the region to flesh out his vibrant jazz compositions. On Heritage II, he harnesses a live band sound and tackles multiple roles himself, handling synths, programming, and “live remixing.”

While Heritage II is a commanding statement on its own, there’s a strong sense of continuity with volume one. “O-Edo Nihonbashi,” a reimagined Japanese folk song, is a parallel of sorts to “Akatombo” from Heritage, with alto saxophonist Josh Johnson making the first of several compelling melodic contributions on flute, a sound that instantly heightens the song’s mystical mood. “Bushidō II” has a more agitated electronic feel than the earlier “Bushidō 1,” while “Mizugaki (reprise)” briefly sets the tune’s main melody in calmer waters, with a floating tempo but no drum beat. On “Ryūgū-jō,” de Clive-Lowe brings violinist Tylana Enomoto on board, varying the sound more still; with “Shitennō” he toggles between a stark Eastern melody and a beautiful chord cycle reminiscent of neo-soul, turning Johnson loose on alto. Drummer Brandon Combs and bassist Brandon Eugene Owens are at their upbeat funkiest on “The Silk Road,” keeping the dance feel firmly in the mix.

Read more in Jazz →
NOW PLAYING PAUSED
by
.

Top Stories

Latest see all stories

On Bandcamp Radio see all

Listen to the latest episode of Bandcamp Radio. Listen now →