Dave Harrington - Max Jaffe - Patrick Shiroishi: Speak Moment

This trio, co-led by guitarist Dave Harrington, drummer Max Jaffe and saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi, embarks on a sonic journey that defies conventions and invites listeners to explore extraterrestrial territories.

Speak, Moment is a collection of five group improvisations, captured in a single afternoon. Imagine these three remarkable musicians huddled together, instruments in hand, weaving intricate soundscapes with intuition and spontaneity. The result? An album that oscillates between ethereal contemplation and raw, unfiltered noise-shaping

The music is not merely a collection of sounds but a conversation—a dialogue that transcends the boundaries of genre and technique. Shiroishi, a saxophonist known for his boundary-pushing ventures into jazz and experimental music, joins forces with the equally innovative minds of Harrington and Jaffe.

The interplay between the musicians approaches the telepathic. Harrington's strings provide a textured backdrop that seems to shift between dimensions, while Jaffe's percussion is a masterclass in both restraint and explosiveness, acting as the album's heartbeat. Meanwhile, Shiroishi's saxophone is the ensemble's voice—soaring, whispering, and sometimes screaming with emotion. Together, they speak a language that, while unfamiliar, feels deeply resonant.

The opening track, "Staring into the Imagination (of Your Face)," sets the tone. Picture wispy saxophone melodies, and ambient guitar—all bathed in Jaffe's placid brushwork. It is like gazing at a watercolor painting where colors blend seamlessly, leaving room for introspection. Next up, "How to Draw Buildings" unfolds with Harrington's droning persistence, Eastern melodies and rock-infused experimentation. Jaffe's shamanic percussion adds layers of intrigue, and as the piece progresses, the sounds become weepier, like raindrops on a windowpane.

"Dance of the White Shadow and Golden Kite" invites the listener into a hypnotic dance. The rhythm exudes exoticism as effects intertwine, heading to distant landscapes. Yet "Ship Rock" channels the skronky guitarism of Sonny Sharrock. Imagine shredding electric guitar, fluent saxophone lines and high-strung drumming—all converging in a whirlwind of sound. And finally, the agenda concludes with "Return in 100 Years, the Colors Will Be at Their Peak." Here, we enter freer territory, where tidal guitar waves collide with distortion. Shiroishi's saxophone lines toggle between gravitation and compression, as Jaffe's rhythms mutate with elasticity. It is a glimpse into the future, where music transcends time.

In closing, Speak, Moment is a sonic beacon in the vast sea of musical mediocrity. It is a testament to the trio's collective smarts and a reminder that music can indeed articulate the ineffable. This session does not just stand out—it soars, leaving an indelible mark on the listener's imagination long after the echoes fade. In the grand theater of music, this performance is both a standing ovation and an encore, all wrapped in one.

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