"Deface the Currency": A Fusion of Sound and Soul
The Genesis of a Unique Collaboration
The journey of The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis began with an unexpected encounter, leading to a profound musical partnership. Lewis, with his roots deeply embedded in gospel and post-bop jazz, had steadily cultivated an adventurous spirit in his music. His connection with Anthony Pirog, an improvisational guitarist from The Messthetics, alongside drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally, ignited a series of events that ultimately led them to sign with the prestigious Impulse! Records.
Embracing the Jazz Legacy
The signing with Impulse! Records positioned the quartet within a rich lineage of avant-garde jazz, echoing the pioneering spirits of John Coltrane and Archie Shepp. This strategic move not only reintroduced Lewis to a wider audience but also bestowed significant jazz credibility upon Canty and Lally, who had primarily operated within the rock-oriented Dischord scene. The association also broadened their appeal, attracting jazz enthusiasts and facilitating tours across major jazz festivals and clubs in both America and Europe.
Capturing the Live Energy in Studio
Following their successful European tour, the quartet, fueled by their enhanced chemistry, swiftly entered the studio with engineer Don Godwin. The live performances had refined their dynamic, seamlessly integrating Lewis's saxophone into The Messthetics' sound. This resulted in an album that amplifies their previous work, delivering deeper funk grooves, more assertive noise elements, and an even richer tapestry of melodic expression.
Dynamic Interplay and Musical Exploration
The album is characterized by a fearless approach to performance and composition. Tracks like "Clutch" exemplify this, where Pirog's serene arpeggios are dramatically contrasted by the band's powerful entrance, driving Lewis to deliver bold melodies met with equal force. Conversely, in "Universal Security," the rhythm section maintains a taut atmosphere, allowing Pirog and Lewis to unleash torrents of sound. Even in quieter moments, such as "30 Years of Knowing," Pirog's lyrical guitar lines evoke a reflective mood, providing a calming interlude between more rhythmically complex pieces like "Gestations" and the swaggering solos of "Rules of the Game."
A Liberatory Sonic Conclusion
The album's ever-shifting dynamics and lively improvisations maintain a sense of perpetual surprise. Concluding with "Serpent Tongue (Slight Return)," a reimagined version of a 2018 track that initially connected Lewis with The Messthetics, the album reaches a fevered pitch. This rendition transforms the original rock track into a free-jazz maelstrom, a cacophonous symphony where Lewis and Pirog engage in a thrilling exchange of sonic intensity. It serves as a fitting finale, underscoring the quartet's collective pursuit of a joyfully liberating musical expression.