MAMMAL HANDS — Gift from the Trees (review)

MAMMAL HANDS — Gift from the Trees album cover Album · 2023 · Post-Fusion Contemporary Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Carmel
Mammal Hands' latest album, "Gift from the Trees," is the trio of Jordan Smart on saxophone, Nick Smart on piano, and Jesse Barrett on drums recording an album in a residential studio, and they were all about capturing those organic experiences and interactions that come with late-night jamming. The album is a mix of pre-composed and improvised ideas, all in an effort to capture the energy of Mammal Hands' live shows. The album's title speaks to the trio's unique perspective, infusing their compositions with the sounds and rhythms of their Welsh surroundings.

The first track, "The Spinner," takes inspiration from the Welsh environment and builds up a stylish groove with elegant textures. Nick's piano playing propels the music forward, with Barrett and Jordan adding color and textures. It's a beautiful piece that builds up energy to seamlessly create a musical whole. Mammal Hands have a unique quality of melody and tone, and they show it off on this track.

"Kernel" continues the bright and hopeful energy with a theme that is built with counterpoint. Mammal Hands seamlessly blends pre-composed elements with improvisation, creating a sound that's organic, groovy, and rich in texture. The saxophone, piano, and drums all take turns in the spotlight, creating a harmonious whole that's greater than the sum of its parts.

Overall, "Gift from the Trees" is a distinctive Welsh jazz album brought to you by the creative and unique trio called Mammal Hands. The instrumentation and collective energy of the trio allow them to build organic, groove-based, and colorful soundscapes that will inspire and uplift you.

If you're looking for something fresh and innovative in the jazz world, you don't want to miss out on this album.
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

Hackensack West Pop/Art Song/Folk
ANTHONY WILSON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Golem & Other Tales World Fusion
SAM REIDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Room for Dancing Latin Jazz
JOHN CRAWFORD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Through the Passages Vocal Jazz
NANCY ERICKSON LAMONT
Buy this album from MMA partners
Frank Gratkowski & Ensemble Modern : Mature Hybird Talking Third Stream
FRANK GRATKOWSKI
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Mature Hybird Talking
FRANK GRATKOWSKI
js· 1 day ago
Perspective (Peace & Love)
ISAIAH COLLIER
js· 1 day ago
T-SQUARE 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert & Tour 2023 @Zepp Nagoya ?CLIMAX?
T-SQUARE
js· 2 days ago
Cravo E Canela (Cloves & Cinnamon)
LEE RITENOUR
js· 2 days ago
GoGo Penguin - From the North - GoGo Penguin Live in Manchester
GOGO PENGUIN
js· 3 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