Night Dreamer records has made quite a splash with their direct to disc sessions. Their last release was the sublime duet between Brazilian vocalists Seu Jorge and Roge. The latest entry is the collaboration of legendary alto saxophonist Gary Bartz and the UK spiritual jazz group Maisha. Led by drummer Jake Long, Maisha has been amongst a lengthy list of promient musicians leading the new wave on the UK jazz renaissance. The band and Bartz first met during the We Out Here festival in 2019 hosted by Gilles Peterson. Another encounter was the London Jazz Festival that celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bartz’s spiritual jazz album “Another Earth”. A chremistry was quickly formed which brings us to this direct to disc one take recording. “Let’s Dance” is filled with afro caribbean rhythms serving as a canvas for Bartz’s warm and adventurous horn melodies. “Uhuru Sasa” is 70s inspired soul jazz with a burning laid back groove. The only quibble is that there’s only five tracks here but these are five exceptional tracks nonetheless. It’s our fortune that the forces of nature brought this pairing together. Simply a brillant record that hopefully entices them to return for an encore.
