Avant-jazz collective Irreversible Entanglements returns with powerful new album ‘Who Sent You?’
Formed a few years ago in response to the ongoing police brutality that was happening in the U.S., Irreversible Entanglements are one of the most thought-provoking and forward-thinking jazz collectives. Following their 2017 breakthrough self-titled debut, the quintet returns with an incredible new album, titled Who Sent You?, released jointly by International Anthem and Don Giovanni Records.
Originally founded by saxophonist Keir Neuringer, poet Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother) and bassist Luke Stewart, the trio came together to perform at a Musicians Against Police Brutality event organized after the slaying of Akai Gurley by the NYPD. Following that performance, the group added trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, and drummer/percussionist Tcheser Holmes. The first ever session from the quintet was recorded in one day at Seizure’s Palace in Brooklyn, and that was the material featured on the group’s highly-acclaimed debut.
Building off the foundation of their first recording, the group’s follow-up album blends together dynamic and haunting harmonies, Afro-centric percussion rhythms, and fiery improvisation, with Ayewa’s socially conscious spoken words about Black trauma caused by right-wing conservatives and out-of-touch wealthy liberals. The music and words strongly compliment each other, creating a controlled free-wheeling force that’s looking to explode at any moment. It’s almost like a blending of the free-jazz modes of Ornette Coleman, the spiritualism of Pharoah Sanders, and the astral cosmic tones of Sun Ra Arkestra, mixed in with the revolutionary messages of Gil Scott-Heron, Amiri Baraka, and Sarah Webster Fabio.
In these unprecedented and uncertain times, there probably is not a more important and necessary moment for this music and the messages this album addresses. Absolutely one of the most relevant recordings of our time.
Irreversible Entanglements — ‘Who Sent You?’
(International Anthem / Don Giovanni Records)
- The Code Noir / Amina
- Who Sent You – Ritual
- No Más
- Blues Ideology
- Bread Out of Stone
