Around for some eight years Los Angeles collective Katalyst's members include pianists Brandon Cordoba and Brian Hargrove - brother of the much missed trumpet icon Roy Hargrove. Then there are saxophonists David Otis and Corbin James, trombonist Jonah Levine, trumpeter Emile Martinez, percussionist Ahmad Dubose, drummer Greg Paul and bassist Marlon Spears in the personnel.
Influenced by James Poyser and Roy Hargrove Katalyst specialise in immersive vamps and win us over pretty much from the first track. 'Summer Solstice' later on is the one we warm to most. There is lots of gritty positivity to the sound that harks back as if to the 1970s and 80s. While freedom in the groove whether layered up as in the ensemble expression or breaking free to allow characterful escape especially in the keyboard lines it matters not. The sound works on every significant level we can think of. And certainly its looseness is unfakable. And there seems profound chemistry in this inspired coming together.
Out on 15 July
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