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Mendoza - Hoff - Revels: Echolocation

By Glenn Astarita
March 2, 2024
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In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary jazz, Echolocation emerges as a bold exploration of sonic frontiers. Crafted through the collaborative virtuosity of

Ava Mendoza

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ava Mendoza on guitar and

" data-original-title="" title="">Devin Hoff on bass, this project embarks on a musical journey which delves deep into the avant-garde jazz realm, blending experimental rock, electric jazz, and the limitless creativity of neo-psychedelia.

The album commences with "Dyscalculia," a track which weaves the raw energy of metal with the intricate layers of free jazz, creating a sound tapestry which is both challenging and invigorating. Mendoza's diabolical voicings, paired with her unison lines with world-class saxophonist

James Brandon Lewis

saxophone, tenor
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">James Brandon Lewis, lead to a powerful groove. This track acts as a beacon, inviting listeners into the band's unique musical vision, tinged with a metallic haze and evoking imagery of a bulldozer obliterating obstacles in its path.

The title track, "Echolocation," signifies a shift to a more contemplative and expansive soundscape. The musicians embark on a spacey journey, with Mendoza's sustained guitar notes and Lewis' tenor saxophone lines evoking the spiritual jazz of the '70s. This piece feels both ancient and futuristic, serving as a meditation on sound and space which underscores the trio's ability to resonate on a deeply emotional level.

"Interwhining" highlights the group's rhythmic expertise. Built around drummer Ches Smith's funk-inspired, shifting rhythms, atop Mendoza's guitar and Lewis' saxophone, it weaves a complex yet utterly compelling dance of sound. The progression into chaos is controlled and deliberate, triggering a mastery over the medium which few artists achieve.

"The Stumble" features swirling lines and free expressionism against a jolting pulse, with Hoff delivering a multifaceted solo. This track, and indeed the entire album, refuses to fade into the background, demanding active engagement from the listener. Challenging yet rewarding, it offers a rich, immersive experience which bridges the intellectual and the emotional, marking a pivotal moment in contemporary musical explorations.

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Track Listing

Dyscalculia; Echolocation; Interwhining; Babel-17; New Ghosts; Diablada; The Stumble; Ten Forward.

Personnel

Ava Mendoza

guitar

Devin Hoff

bass, acoustic

James Brandon Lewis

saxophone, tenor

Ches Smith

drums

Album information

Title: Echolocation | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: AUM Fidelity

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