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Donny McCaslin: Fast Future

By Mark F. Turner
March 24, 2015
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Saxophonist

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Donny McCaslin brought a fresh perspective to the acoustic-electronic jazz soundscape with 2012's Casting for Gravity (Greenleaf Music) which earned a Grammy nomination for "Best Instrumental Jazz Solo" for the track "Stadium Jazz." Thankfully it was not a one-off as McCaslin reassembles the tightly knit band and savvy production from saxophonist

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney in Fast Future, a release that continues the groove factor.

Like its predecessor, the music pulsates with energy as McCaslin's tenor powers over funky riffs, spaced-out backgrounds, and crisp beats provided by drummer

Mark Guiliana

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Guiliana, and bassist

Tim Lefebvre

bass
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Lefebvre while

Jason Lindner

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Lindner colors things with copious keyboards embellishments. But there are also a few surprises. For one, there's the inclusion of wordless voice harmonies in the hard driving title track and the affecting spoken word performed by artist Jana Dagdagan on "Love What is Mortal."

Next comes the appeal of Electronic Dance Music in "54 Cymru Beats" and the reggae shaded "Squeeze Thru" as McCaslin cites EDM musicians/composers Aphex Twin and Skrillex as influences alongside jazz/electronic giants

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock and

Weather Report

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Weather Report as the band stretches out and kills "This Side of Sunrise" and "Blur" with spot on performances and improvisation. In summary, McCaslin's Fast Future further suggests that the lines between acoustic jazz and electronica are at times blurred and that music regardless of its instrumentation can find common ground.

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Track Listing

Fast Future; No Eyes; Love and Living; Midnight Light; 54 Cymru Beats; Love What is Mortal; Underground City; This Side of Sunrise; Blur; Squeeze Thru.

Personnel

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor

Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone; Jason Lindner: keyboards; Tim Lefebvre: bass; Mark Guiliana: drums.

Album information

Title: Fast Future | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Greenleaf Music

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Donny McCaslin Concerts

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Donny Mccaslin

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