It’s easy to connect with a song that has powerful lyrics. Catchy lines, their emotional delivery and nearly instant relatability make identifying with a song almost a reflexive thing when the lyrical integrity hits the right note. For The James McGowan Ensemble, a group that combines the talents of Modasaurus jazz-fusion quartet and the Despax string quartet, vocals and lyrics take a backseat to the raw power of the instrumental arrangements these artists have created.
“Imagine Pt. 1” kicks the album off with the orchestra immediately swelling up after a tense cymbal rattle and piano keys that creates a gripping and dramatic aesthetic. The spoken word vocal is captivating when backed by the dynamic instrumental profile. Whether it’s weeping violins, subtle electric guitars or the powerful drum beats, it always adds to the power of lyrics such as “seize your tenacity in the change of keys. An uncertain future lies ahead, lows and highs to come instead.” The track makes an excellent first impression for the album, making the move to the next song an exciting one.
“Grief and Despair” evokes exactly what the title suggests. The Despax string quartet’s performance creates an atmosphere of trailing despair, with trailing violins whose weeping melodies inspire the deep sorrow that the cello underscores. The deep moans bring a sense of defeat to the aesthetic, giving it a weight that pulls your heart into your stomach. That feeling comes full circle towards the end of the track, where the last two minutes see the rest of the instrumentals come onto the scene to invoke a curious mood, only to be dragged down by the melancholy of the sorrowful strings. The way this track builds a mood that’s different from the others that came before makes it stand out, even on repeat listens.
The title track, “Reaching In,” begins with ear-catching curiosity that comes from mischievous piano keys, which flows into a beautiful violin arrangement, setting up an incredibly triumphant instrumental climb. As the drums and bass enter the scene, the smooth bassline steals the show as it flows effortlessly throughout the track. The understated drums give the track a nice pulse, with their percussion growing to emphasize whatever mood takes over the track. When it all comes together, “Reaching In” offers up a fantastic jazzy lounge atmosphere with moments of swelling instrumental triumph that suck you in before they mellow you back out. With a killer bass solo around the 3 and a half minute mark, “Reaching In” is a track you won’t want to miss.
“Augmented Reality” leverages a graceful intro in order to drop a captivating smooth jazz that remains gripping throughout. The bass takes charge on the track, with an ever-persistent groove that always either rises above the other instruments to make its own impression, or leads from the back and gives the track a pulse you can move to. This allows the drums to keep a loose, airy beat that feels dynamic amidst the commanding bassline and free-wheeling brass. However, it’s the saxophone who ends up stealing the show around the 2 and a half minute mark with a mind-blowing solo that you can’t help but groove to. “Augmented Reality” is a track with a classy aesthetic that’s dripping with style, instantly creating an upbeat and alleviating mood that’s easy to melt into after just one listen.
“Reaching In” is an incredibly gripping listen from start to finish. The various musical motifs that are explored on the album are powerful and evocative of the personal nature of it. Tracks such as “Grief and Despair” and “Thoughts and Prayers” are powerful and evoke an instantly tangible emotions, while others such as the title track, “Reaching In,” create inviting atmospheres with their jazzy aesthetic that anyone can get into after just one listen. The beating heart of the album is a collection of 3 tracks titled “Imagine” parts 1, 2 and 3. These spoken-word tracks are powerful, with deeply personal lyrics and strong instrumentals that will leave an impact on you after listening to them. If you’re looking for instrumental compositions that feel more emotionally charged and grounded rather than musing or contemplative, “Reaching In” from The James McGowan Ensemble may be just what you’re looking for.
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