feature photo: Tim Saccenti
Jaimie Branch and Jason Nazary have both made provocative, edgy jazz for years before combining forces as Anteloper to bring their vast improvisational skills into other, more contemporary forms of music. As Branch explains, “We’re improvisers first and we’re bringing ‘moment music’ into these other zones of hip hop and electronic music, drum- machine music, sound-system culture …”
So when these former music conservatory classmates came out with their debut album Kudu four years ago, they pursued a mission that capitalizes on their strengths which goes a little beyond trumpeter Branch’s solo work and drummer Nazary’s best-known band Little Women.
But Branch and Nazary ain’t done yet with their mission. Pink Dolphins (June 17, 2022, International Anthem) is the second chapter of their collaborative project, and their quest to bring a high level of trippiness to improvised music marches forward. They make heavy use of electronics but it’s important to note that they know how to use those electronics to enhance, not submerge, their chops. As in, Nazary creating this monster, odd-signature beat on “Baby Bota Halloceanation” offset by Branch’s always-imposing trumpet, and they do it within a murky cauldron of echoes and synth loops. And then there’s the spaced-out tonalities with samples of an African kalimba brought into sharp relief by Branch’s clear, resonating horn for “Delfin Rosado.”
“Earthlings” is the central track that sticks out from the rest, and for several reasons. Branch for the first time sings on an Anteloper track, the most obvious area where the duo is breaking new ground. And she’s a natural at it, her smooth and natural delivery makes me think she could make it as a chanteuse if she chose that path. But this is also a very trippy song with trippy lyrics mated to a hypnotic four bar loop (that grew out of a Branch/Nazary improvisation) and producer Jeff Parker steps out from behind the boards to boost the psychedelia with a circular, almost bass-like guitar.
“One Living Genius” is the only time the performance runs concert length. Here’s one where they just allow the song flow at its own, unhurried pace and almost six minutes runs by before Branch’s trumpet (initially with a mute) enters and it settles right into the kaleidoscopic weave.
Mind-altering music is almost always about textures alone; Jaimie Branch and Jason Nazary do that part well while also bringing their improvising gifts to the table. Only few can make this combination work right, and Anteloper does it – again – for Pink Dolphins.
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