| Jazz |
This is an exceptional album, not only due to the remarkable musicians featured in the recording but also the interplay they create. Besides the composer and double bassist Joe Fonda, the album includes performances by trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, pianist Satoko Fujii, and drummer Tiziano Tononi. What unfolds is a sophisticated dialogue between the instrumentalists. Joe Fonda’s approach to this project is clear: “I decided to write a series of pieces, thinking about how Wadada composes, how I write, and what I’ve learned from him,” Fonda explains. “I even used some of his notation systems for certain pieces. Yes, everything revolved around Wadada.”
Many of the track titles derive from Fonda’s experiences with Wadada over the years. The title track reflects Fonda’s impression of Smith’s unwavering focus on the bigger picture: “He never gave up and stayed concentrated. And today, he’s more active than ever, recording, performing, and composing some of the most powerful and spiritual music of our time,” Fonda remarks.
This album is undoubtedly for the more jazz-savvy listener. The language here is raw, uncompromising. Don’t expect any aesthetic beyond the overarching view that highlights soundscapes and scenes etched by the waves of sonic creation. Fonda reinforces this idea: “Most of the time, we play with a more collective mindset,” Fonda says. “What I composed is not necessarily a simple theme-solo-theme structure. It’s more like how Wadada inserts improvisations into written material. I tried to orchestrate it differently so that different musicians carry the themes at different moments and others improvise at various points.”
Wadada Leo Smith is an inspiring and innovative trumpeter. Personally, every time I see his name on an album cover, I hold my breath—disappointed, in fact, that I’ve never seen him live. To me, he’s as exceptional as Joe Zawinul or Wayne Shorter. Wadada doesn’t just play music; he dreams it, and through his dreams, he transports us as well. Within this complex matrix of improvisation and interpretation lie moments of individual brilliance. In a duo with Tononi on “Bright Lights,” Wadada demonstrates his mastery of trumpet tone and texture, his elliptical lyricism, deep concentration, and unparalleled sense of rhythm and balance.
Fujii delivers a multifaceted performance on the album, ranging from her dark, percussive solo on “Eyes on the Horizon” to a thrilling duet with Fonda on “We Need Members.” This track also includes an intimate solo from Fonda—it feels as though he’s speaking directly to the listener. His rhythmically powerful riffs and the progression of his lines unfold with assured fluidity. Tononi’s solo on “Cornell West” pulses with exhilarating energy.
When we talk about “intelligent music,” this is it. *We Need Members* showcases the quartet’s cohesion, yet Wadada Leo Smith brings something extra. As soon as he steps in, our ears lock onto him, enchanted by his inventiveness and artistry. It’s clear why a composer as talented as Joe Fonda would want to feature him so prominently, making this album one of our essentials.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 25th 2024
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Joe Fonda, bassist of the year 2023 according to New York Jazz Records!