Description
While enduring Covid, I unexpectedly inked Chasing The Masters [chasingthemasters.com], with dreams of “what’s next” now beginning to swirl: just what did I itch for that wasn’t already published? A Return to Electric project soon dawned: pairing early fusion jazz classics with a handful of my own; actualized by a power trio that showcased inspiring chemistry; sensitive through roaring dynamics; a blues to Bartok hipness; naughty experimental rock + jazz lineages, with all of this presented via both a gritty and beautiful abstract modernism.
Additionally, I wished to re-explore a more incendiary early career approach, trusting one’s primal instincts and dynamics more unabashedly. Essentially, this meant granting myself license to literally loosen some elements of control: challenging myself to incorporate a growing number of chance approaches and techniques, then problem solving (improvising!) with them in real time. After all, if my career start was often driven by explosive rawness, and the past 25 years showcased a more mature panache, might it be possible to combine both?
All in all, I soon settled upon two of my oldest and dearest colleagues, virtuosi Gress and Salerno, to revel in such adventures. And whew-we/us! You shan’t be sorry that I did (Hello).
ENJOY ‘ALL,
~ph
releases April 28, 2025
Phil Haynes
RETURN TO ELECTRIC
Steve Salerno, guitar
Drew Gress, bass
Phil Haynes, drums
September 26 + 27, 2024
Tedesco Studios, Paramus, NJ
Tom Tedesco, session engineer
Kristaly Kusakabe, assistant engineer & video
Jon Rosenberg, mixing & mastering
Phil Haynes, producing
Corner Store Jazz (CSJ-0149)
