Irreversible Entanglements — Future Present Past (Impulse!)
Future Present Past is the fifth album released by the avant jazz quintet Irreversible Entanglements, and their second for Impulse! Records. This time out, spoken word plays a large role in the overall aesthetic. Founding member Camae Ayewa, who also performs as Moor Mother, is known for her vocal work, and she has help from Helado Negro on the recording’s opening track “Juntos Vencemos,” and its closer “We Overcome,” and on several others from MOTHERBOARD (Kyle Kidd). The group’s four instrumentalists, Aquiles Navarro who plays trumpet and synthesizer, Keir Neuringer, who plays tenor saxophone and synthesizer, bassist Luke Stewart, and drummer Tcheser Holmes are very responsive to the vocal contributions. The result is a colloquy that retains rigorous musical interplay with an equally kaleidoscopic verbal collage.
Indeed, the syncopated unison refrain on “Don’t Lose Your Head” is taken up by voices and Navarro and Neuringer before both sides peel off, respectively, to rapping and free play. When the refrain returns, the voices come to the fore while trumpet and saxophone continue to circle the melody with vital riffing. “We Knew” begins with a bop-inflected instrumental duo which is contrasted by intense short spoken phrases. Both are offset by flute-like nimble singing from MOTHERBOARD. Navarro begins to work with a discordant tune and Neuringer moves to sustained playing.
The rhythm section leads off “Keep Going,” which uses a different palette with chordal synth slabs, and muscular cries from both trumpet and voice. As the instrumental cohort moves into further out terrain, MOTHERBOARD waxes soulful. Amid this veritable hurricane of activity, Ayewa’s recitation remains the calm eye of the storm.
Social justice is an important facet of Future Past Present. Texts describe working within society to effectuate change through peaceful assembly and speech on “Don’t Lose Your Head” and “Vibrate Higher.” They even extend to revolutionary action on “Panamanian Fight Song.” Even here, one senses the importance of societal uplift, not entropic violence. Displaying intensity, versatility and musicality in equal measure, Irreversible Entanglements is an indomitable force. Future Present Past is their best work yet.
The Comet Is Coming - Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam (Impulse!, 2022)
Genre: Nu Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Progressive Electronic
Artwork: Daniel Martin Diaz
