John Escreet

the epicenter of your dreams

Blue Room Music

John Escreet’s 2022 trio album Seismic Shift (covered here) was so bold and impactful that it likely made it difficult to return with the trio and produce a similarly startling result. Pianist and composer Escreet was wise enough to recognize this and although returning with the same rhythm mates, he added the renowned saxophonist Mark Turner to the ensemble, joining bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Damion Reid. All these musicians are now based in Los Angeles, where a robust jazz scene is growing, not only due to NYC transplants but younger cats emerging. My final line in the review of Seismic Shift had the words – “the intersection of power and beauty.” You’ll find the same here with an even better balance, albeit just a tad down (Almost anything would be) from the relentless intensity of that recording. There are other similarities too. The only non-original on the previous album was Stanley Cowell’s “Equipoise” drawn from his 1974 solo Musa: Ancestral Streams. This time Cowell’s “departure no.1” from that same album is in the repertoire. Here, Escreet also nods to another major influence Andrew Hill and his mid-60s ballad “crato,” transforming it into mid-tempo swing. Escreet takes credit for the remaining six, some written with Turner in mind.

Opener “call it what it is” presents the same crashing, resonating piano that defined the previous album but settles into a highly energetic rhythmic and harmonic piece colored by Turner’s fierce attack and kinetic work of the bass-drum tandem. Oh, and those powerful, but remarkably precise runs from the pianist too, off to a flying, rollicking start. “the epicenter of your dreams,’ as the title suggests reveals a more reflective, pensive side, with the through-composed piece featuring some clever unison lines between Escreet and Turner at the outset before the improvisations ensue first from Escreet and his nimble, tinkling runs followed by Turner, blowing expressive fierce clusters that crescendo to volcanic proportions before a deep pause and a reprise of the opening, punctuated by Revis’s plucking and Reid’s cymbal flourishes.  The versatility of this unit is on vivid display in this one piece. One might think Turner is a bit out of his element here but he fits right in.

The quartet treats the Cowell piece with their trademark intensity, Turner matching Escreet’s rapid runs with his own fluid, fleet clusters. “Meltdown” shifts between shimmering piano, dense chords, and sustained, expressive wails from Turner interspersed with repetitive piano figures after which Turner morphs into lower register murmurs accented by Revis.  The sharply angular “Trouble and Activity” leans toward the ‘out’ in the opening but settles into a mid-tempo burner with strong voices from each member, returning to barely controlled chaos in the latter half, with Escreet’s crushing, crashing approach. In my previous review one description read – ‘’…like he’s taking a hammer to the piano or dropping it to the street from the fifth floor.” Shades of such apply here as well.

Parts of “Lifeline” sound like bebop on steroids or feverish Ornette while the pauses often lead to even more kinetic lines from Escreet with Revis firm and steady on the bottom, Turner inserting short bursts and inspired runs, while Reid keeps the engine room blazing.  The quartet closes with the brief “Other Side,” a tune that bears similarity to “Lifeline” although for the first time in the program, there’s a swinging element to a furiously paced churn rhythm.

Escreet continues to deliver daring, challenging music. Few can match his locomotive energy. Again, it results in engaging, totally immersive listening.

• Jim Hynes

BUY NOW

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter