Genre: Jazz-Rock
Label: Wide Hive Records Visit Web Site
Tracks
1. Thrill Seeker 2. Breather 3. Gtfo 4. Violet Revolutionary 5. Bass In The Sublime 6. Ratchet 7. Throttle Rocket 8. Free Just 9. Chilton Alley 10. Dancing Dust Moat 11. Capital Rumble 12. Rampart 13. Inner Spatial Dub 14. Elevator Shaft 15. Standards Reproach 16. Sacred Rights
Throttle Elevator Music Throttle Elevator Music
These days it’s hard to get listeners’ attention. There are so many bands all vying for more fans that we, the listeners, get overwhelmed. Consequently, we don’t search for new groups as much as we used to, before the internet took over.
Throttle Elevator Music is one thing you should take notice of. They’ve managed to combine rock, punk, and jazz together to make a unique but tasty concoction.
Tenor Saxophonist Kamasi Washington and producer Greg Howe appear to be the men behind this project, according to the label’s website. Bassist/Keyboardist Matt Montgomery and drummer “Lumpy” fill in the remaining spots.
The songs on this album range from energetic, bursts of unrestrained energy (“Thrill Seeker,” “Capital Rumble”) to more laid–back, exploratory journeys (“Breather,” “Bass In The Sublime”). Others are a combination of the two, such as “Violet Revolutionary.” The whole time Washington’s skill is made plain, particularly on the buildup track “Dancing Dust Moat,” which starts somewhat mellow and rises to brash fun. “Capital Run” sounds to me like The Clash put in some different time signatures and hired John Coltrane to front them. Switch the Sax to a guitar with lots of distortion and overdrive on “Standards Reproach” and you’d get thrash metal. I love it.
This band reminds me of The Bad Plus, who are known for making jazz arrangements of rock songs. Personally, they’ve never done it for me. But Throttle Elevator Music does what appears to me is the opposite of The Bad Plus; they make rock arrangements of what would otherwise easily be Jazz tunes. And, it feels good to say this; this band isn’t really anything I’ve heard before. I’m sold on them.
This album feels like the perfect stepping stone for this band to build on; I don’t think they can go anywhere from here but up.
Key Tracks: Thrill Seeker, Violet Revolutionary, Capital Run
