Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey has been one of the most progressive acts on the jazz scene for the past decade. I first saw them in 2005 at the Granada Theatre in Lawrence. Jacob Fred once existed as Brian Haas, Reed Mathis, and Jason Smart. I was impressed by chops, high energy levels, and aesthetics delivered by original compositions as well as jazz arrangements of The Beatles, Thelonius Monk, and Björk. Tunes like Santiago and Halliburton Breakdown earned my allegiance to the band instantly, inspiring a form of creativity I’ve heard nowhere else.

A new cast of musicians was set after releasing Little Tae Rides Again in 2008. Little Tae was an ethereal electronic album mixed and sequenced to sound like a perfect dream. Brian Haas, Chris Combs, Josh Raymer, and Matt Hayes quickly went on to release Winterwood, an album that combined traditional New Orleans grooves with a hint of Oklahoma twang. Stay Gold is a perfect addition to Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey’s repitiore as they reinvent themselves yet again in front of millions…jazz millions.

A new maturity emerges on Stay Gold as the band climbs away from flashy solos and focuses on syncopated grooves, psychedelic effects, and classically influenced alberti bass. The dankest tracks on the entire album are “Trampoline Phoenix” which creates tension through stop-time and short bursts of drum soloing at the end of phrases, and “Hamby’s Window,” which carries a funky rhythm until hell breaks loose during a chaotic freeform accelerando that concludes the track.

Many people don’t like jazz or improvisational music because it is too competitive, even within ensembles, but Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey works as a unit to create music with a heavy jazz influence that moves the genre beyond any limitations it may have broken in the past. The title track, “Stay Gold,” has beautiful melodic interplay between Brian Haas and Chris Combs, combined with thrashing crashes by Josh Raymer and an ultra-catchy theme. This track features an A section in 4/4, a B section in 5/4, and a C section in 6/8. The B section is my favorite because it sneaks in a tricky measure of 9/8 after three bars to give the rhythm a reversed feel.

The effects used on Stay Gold prove Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey to be a studio powerhouse. Chris Combs not only implements all of the album’s melody, but stands out as the wizard of the ensemble. “David” opens with a bluesy solo piano as the band sneaks in behind Haas at a well controlled dynamic and crescendos into a collage of electronics and free jazz fury. A subtle arpeggiation of electronics on “The Return” give the track a deeper layer floating above its initial simplicity. It also has the best hook on the album and features a melodeon interlude. It then exits with a kalimba (commonly known as a ‘thumb piano’) accompanied by well done yet unconventional electronics.

“Song for Lauren” begins in a bluegrass style dominated by pedal-steel twang, Latin beats, floating piano progressions (which also double the melody), and long tone basslines plucked in the pocket. I definitely feel the Oklahoma flavor of this track, which is a break from the rest of the album. “The Sensation of Seeing Light” opens the album with eerie pedal-steel, break-beat drumming, and a bridge of experimentally soothing melody executed by the piano.

This album is not jazz. The only straight ahead tune “This, Our Home,” is heard at the album’s conclusion and features a groove in triple meter where Brian Haas emerges a champion of musicality and innovative thought process through precise detail in phrasing, articulation, and rhythmic execution. This track is by far the most sophisticated and beautiful work on the album. Stay Gold is a work of genius. Although short, it is definitely worth buying. Whether it’s the cry of the pedal-steel, the thunder of the drums, the thump of the bass, or the brilliance of the piano, you need to join the ranks of jazz millions by purchasing Stay Gold and making this music a part of your life.

Side note: Jeff Harshbarger (Snuff Jazz / People’s Liberation) has recently joined the group and will be an excellent addition to their sound. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is an amazing live band. I have seen them four times. If they come to your area, it would be wise to attend the show.

You can purchase a copy and check out upcoming shows at: www.jfjo.com

Published Friday 25th June 2010 - Written by Alex Tate