Emergence
begins with a bang but then goes gradually downhill.
Plaxico
alternates between acoustic and electric bass, and mightily tries to reconcile the jazz and funk elements of his vision. Although most tracks feature driving rhythms, incredibly intricate horn writing, and compelling solos, the album grows numbingly repetitive as it proceeds.
On the jazz side,
"Transformation"
begins the record with riveting post-bop fire, while
"Libertarian"
and
"Red Light District"
provide new perspectives on the standards
"Dear Old Stockholm"
"Love for Sale,"
respectively. On the funk side,
"Delusion"
"Emancipation"
stand out, recalling the dissonant colors heard on
Sam Rivers
' acclaimed 1999 album
Inspiration
. But
seems to run low on ideas by the time he gets to
"Equilibrium,"
"Inner Voice,"
Chick Corea
's
"Matrix."
Six brief interludes featuring bass and/or percussion are interspersed throughout the program, yielding mixed results -- the most effective being
"Paramita (to arrive at the other side)."
Monster players abound, including the wonderful
Don Braden
on saxophones,
Ralph Alessi
on trumpet, and
Jason Moran
on piano.
is also distinguished by several lesser known but highly capable musicians:
Larry Lunetta
on trumpet,
Tim Hegarty
on sax,
Eric Lewis
on piano and organ,
Lionel Cordew
on drums, and
Jeffrey Haynes
on percussion.
Haynes
produced the interludes, and noted vocalist
Cassandra Wilson
, for whom
has served as musical director, produced the main tracks. ~ David R. Adler