Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey The Sameness of Difference Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey has always had an adventurous feel to them. Although they certainly have a traditional Jazz background & a pension for improvisation (hence their namesake) their unique sound itself draws from a pure lust for the almost avant. Pianist Brian Haas can play slight tingly soft expressions on the ivories or burst into a temperamental fidgety explosion of sound. Bassist Reed Mathis spends little time as the usual time-keeper; instead using his instrument [& a pitch-bending pedal] to sing to soaring highs & whines - sounding often times more like a guitar than its bass counterpart. Having spent the last year touring intensely - be it in acoustic or electric format; as a solo performance from Brian (promoting his release 'The Truth About Hollywood') or amongst side projects like the Dead Kenny G's (featuring Haas alongside Critters Buggin' members Mike Dillon & Skerik), the trio has certainly fine-tuned their chops & it is more than evident from their latest L.P. 'The Sameness of Difference'[recorded with producer Joel Dorn (John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Allman Brothers Band, Dr. John) at Sear Sound (formerly the Hit Factory) - a room that has nurtured genius from John Lennon to Wilco] is poised to be the album that realizes JFJO for the God-send to Jazz that they are. To some, jazz seems to be in a dying form - it certainly has its stars, but very few are doing anything revolutionary, instead falling back on the proven formula of the past. To this Jacob Fred bring an exciting new approach & a wider audience (undoubtedly drawn to their relentless improvisational style). On 'Sameness' The Fred brings original tunes written by each member of the trio, but to that add some awe-inspiring covers. The album opens with a haunting rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "(Have You Ever Been to) Electric Ladyland?" - enlisting the tantalizing whine of Mathis' bass as a stand in for the psychedelic guitar work from the original piece. Back-tracking to the adventurous theme, they tackle Bjork's "Isobel" - again allowing Reed to shine as the vocalist in this instrumental outfit. Just as rewarding are the nods to their traditional background. Jacob Fred pays tribute to their inspirations with numbers by Charles Mingus & Dave Brubeck as well as the Mathis' penned originals "Halliburton Breakdown" & "The Maestro" which envision JFJO as the staple of a smoke-filled jazz club. In my opinion, this album shines the most when the band stabs at rock. Their version of the Flaming Lips' "The Spark That Bled" is honestly heart-wrenching & as lush and thrilling as the original - Haas' piano work is a perfect fit for [Lips' singer Wayne] Coyne's strained vocal style. The unabashed masterpiece of the album is withheld until the end - truly saving the best for last. A live reading of the Beatles' "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" closes things out with a true understanding of not only what 'The Sameness of Difference' is about, but really what Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is all about. Jacob Fred make one of the Beatles' most beloved songs their own. They effortlessly move between its segmented musical parts - allowing Mathis room for his bass to sing so sweetly & Haas to beautifully display his understanding the depth & balance that really makes a song unique & timeless. Jacob Fred has certainly hit their stride & 'The Sameness of Difference' is the perfect documentation of their climb towards a unique sound that crosses many boundaries & genres to bring together some truly great music.
