‘Quartets’ might not be an album for everyone, yet the bold and the curious will be highly rewarded. Boasting a wealth of funk-jazz goodness with a distinct soulful twist, the record sees American saxophone phenomenon Peter Daniels take the lead of a new ensemble, a nice change from his long career supporting others. This time around, he’s the lead, delivering eclectic and nuanced compositions that never fixate on Peter’s own instrument (the sax); Daniels is not greedy, taking a wider approach to the aural material, an approach that involves a rich and varied organ-backed rhythm section.
It really is a varied album. Take, for instance, the hip-hop-flavoured territories of ‘Grant. Me. This’, boasting a breakbeat groove underlying a playful yet intricate horn section. Follow-up ‘Come Back Together’ gets back to the main script, with evocative and easy-listening jazz matter drenched in soulful tones. What more could you wish for? Rallying a rotating cast of Pacific Northwestern musicians, Peter Daniels crafts a record that’s hypnotising and nostalgic.
The album is never arrogant or patronising, instead welcoming listeners into a carefully nuanced listening experience. Catchy instrumental hooks and virtuoso-esque solos co-exist perfectly, a sign of the infinite wisdom carried by the Seattle-based musician. ‘Quartets’ is out now on Music Factory Records (label spearheaded by Ari Joshua). Speaking about the inspiration behind the record, Daniels explains: “Each track came to life with a different group of musicians I’ve known and played with for years. The goal was to capture the energy of the community, and to let each quartet bring something unique to the table.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Quartets’ on Spotify, or order a vinyl here:
