Reading the liner notes, and observing the serious expression of tenor saxist Kazemde George’s album, I was expecting a series of either angry or self absorbed compositions and deliveries, particularly when a self-described goal to “channel great masters like…(rapper) J Dilla”. What a pleasant surprise that the artist who also gives tribute to the wide ranging likes of John Coltrane and Joao Gilberto creates an album that is filled with a Lester Young-toned tenor and sublime modern sounding soulful themes.
George brings together the voice of Sami Stevens as a truly extra instrument, blending in and flying over Isaac Wilson/p-Wur, Tyrone Allen II/b and Adam Arruda/dr, as she scats sweetly over the drums on “Haiti” and is dream y with Allen II during “Happy Birthday”. George’s breathy tone swings to gorgeous effect on “Coasts” and the deep “The Spring”, bodysurfing over Wilson’s groove on “I Insist”. George and Stevens make for a modern version of Young and Billie Holiday on the pretty “Things Line Up” or Getz and Astrud Gilberto on the irresistible samba’d “Understanding”. This is an album that is both timeless and modern. Get this guy on tour!!