Bhakti by Zoh Amba

https://mahakalamusic.bandcamp.com/album/bhakti

Genre: Free Jazz

Raing: Beyond Ratings – World Treasure

released on bandcamp September 27, 2022

Although Amba plays tenor saxophone this album is most closely related to Cecil Taylor. Especially Dark to Themselves which was recorded at the Ljubljana Jazz Festival which puts out the best stuff. Micah Thomas absolutely fucking slays on the piano. He’s listed as a sideman but he’s every bit an equal which is often how the best jazz goes. I think Amba is heavily influenced by Ayler and yeah I can hear that. On the third track Matt Hollenberg is fantastic on the guitar and pushes things even further out there. I’m glad he’s doing this instead of wasting his talent with Zorn. Zorn plays like such a fucking narcissist. I don’t know why people can’t see it. Anyway, Amba explores Ayler’s sorrow like a mind reader. She’s in a class now with Matana Roberts and Jaimie Branch. I read about Amba right after Branch died as a matter of fact. I was wondering who was going to fill that hole. Branch was different. A giant powerhouse personality of joy. I guess her family wants to keep her cause of death personal and I respect that. I don’t know how she died and it’s none of my business but I did read she was a recovering addict and I suspect heroin. If so I say let it be known. That fucking shit kills and kills and keeps killing. Still people go there. I don’t fucking get it. The pain doesn’t stop. If you feel like I haven’t been focused on this album forgive me. It’s the best jazz album yet this year. By far, if I’m being honest. I really doubt anything will top this as the best album of the year period. It’s phenomenal.