Steve Reid
Nova

★★★½

A high energy collective that dabbles with different styles of jazz. Sometimes even hitting somewhat Middle Eastern aesthetics in songs like "Sixth House" with Joe Rigby's playing. Starting off with "Nova" seems to be an intentional decision, in order to leave the listener somewhat unprepared for what follows. That being an intense and vivid performance of spiritual and groove-laced jazz. The organ and the rest of the contributing instrumentation on "Lions of Juda" is some of the most energetic playing I've heard in a while. While the playing is quite good, the same ideas are reused a bit too much. Still a great album, just one I'm not too sure I'll come back to. 

Favorite Song: Lions of Juda

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