Twenty two-year-old alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins makes quite an impact with this Blue Note release. Produced by Jason Moran and released today pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Daryl Johns, and drummer Kweku Sumbry are with their fellow American on this socially conscious black lives matter-relevant record. Highlights include the bass grounded track 'The Dreamer' where there is a real subtlety in the group interplay. Wilkins has a delicately sinuous, expressive tone, a little reminiscent of Greg Osby's, and the record overall owes something in common with the approach of trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. A record that anyone interested in jazz today needs to hear.
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