JOEY ALEXANDER — Continuance (review)

JOEY ALEXANDER — Continuance album cover Album · 2023 · Post-Fusion Contemporary Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Carmel
In contemporary jazz, few artists in their early twenties—or any age, for that matter—have encapsulated the essence of innovation, technical fluidity, and emotional depth as Joey Alexander. With his offering, "Continuance," Alexander's seventh studio album, Alexander shows his evolving artistry and indelible influence from the broader span of music, achieved at the tender age of 20. This album provides a precise listening experience of emotional narratives and complex musical ideas with a maturity that belies his years.

At the heart of "Continuance" lies Alexander's command of the piano, a skill that intertwines effortlessly with his compositional contributions tone. The album, featuring a mix of five of his original compositions alongside transformative renditions of "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," showcases Alexander's maturity as a performer, composer, and arranger. His ability to phrase melodies like stories through harmonies is particularly evident in "Blue." Here, Alexander employs a staccato riff as the foundational motif, which blossoms under his touch into a captivating narrative, enhanced by Kris Funn's bass and John Davis's drums, with Theo Croker's trumpet melodies adding a layer of warmth. Alexander's solo is a musical narration marked by dynamic contrasts and a fluent, elegant groove that speaks volumes of his emotional intelligence as a musician.

"Hear Me Now" is another composition that underscores Alexander's finesse in melding textures and tones. The addition of the Mellotron introduces a classical dimension to the jazz quartet, creating a space that feels familiar and fresh. Alexander's exploration of harmonic textures and mood shifts in this piece highlights his compositional development, offering a sonic experience as rich in emotion as technical sophistication.

His rendition of "I Can't Make You Love Me" has a balance of harmonic complexity and emotional appeal. Alexander's dual performance on piano and Fender Rhodes injects a fresh vitality into this pop-rock hit, supported by Funn's resonant bass and the cohesive dynamism of Davis' drums. This arrangement bridges pop-rock and contemporary jazz, infusing new life into a well-loved melody with an artistic vision.

"Continuance" is a strong presence in Alexander's discography, marking a phase of artistic variability and creative maturity. This album emphasizes storytelling, textural richness, and rhythmic sophistication. The synergy between Alexander and his rhythms section and Theo Croker's contributions elevates the album to a conversational and engaging performance. The ensemble's cohesion and the intuitive interplay bring Alexander's compositions to life, making "Continuance" have a narrative of growth, exploration, and depth of styles.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Tough Stuff Post-Fusion Contemporary
IIRO RANTALA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra : This Rock We're On - Imaginary Letters Third Stream
MIKE HOLOBER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Simon Nabatov Quartet feat. Ralph Alessi : Lovely Music Avant-Garde Jazz
SIMON NABATOV
Buy this album from MMA partners
Closer Jazz Related Electronica/Hip-Hop
MARIA CHIARA ARGIRÒ
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cecil Taylor Unit : Live At Fat Tuesdays, February 9, 1980 First Visit Avant-Garde Jazz
CECIL TAYLOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Songs My Mom Liked EPK - Anthony Branker
ANTHONY BRANKER
js· 1 day ago
“INFLUENCES” by Jared Hall, trumpeter & composer
JARED HALL
js· 1 day ago
Jean-Pierre (feat. Darryl Jones)
BILL EVANS (SAX)
snobb· 2 days ago
Magic Box
CHRISTOPHE MARGUET
snobb· 2 days ago
The Peacocks
ANTOINE DRYE
js· 2 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed