For over ten years running now, Dr. MiNT has served as an outlet for the improvisational energies of trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom, saxophonist Gavin Templeton, electric guitarist Alexander Noice, electric bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Caleb Dolister. A left coast (i.e., LA) front line with an East Coast (i.e., NYC) rhythm section, this ragtag bunch collides post-bop swing with heavy metal swag and electronica effects from Noice and Minaie to make a strange brew that imposes its will where the solos are good, but sheer attitude puts it over the top.
For one particular song, the soloing is more than good and the attitude is through the roof. “Down To One” — premiering in the stream above – is a frantic Frankenstein of Coltrane’s “Countdown” and Van Halen’s “Eruption.” Drum ‘n’ bass stuttering beats brings a 21st century twist to this timeless thrill of chops gliding over an extended form. First it’s Templeton making hay on his sax, then tags Noice for his wailing turn in the ring, who ends up handing it back over to Templeton and Rosenboom for the head that brings proceedings to a sudden, crashing halt.
“Down To One” is taken from Dr. MiNT’s upcoming fifth release Voice In The Void, set to go on sale January 27th, 2017 from Orenda Records. If this isn’t where jazz is headed, then it’s probably going in the wrong direction.
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