Review of Steve Lehman's "Ex Machina"
Steve Lehman’s latest Album, Ex Machina, is a brain expanding hybrid of spectral composition, generative electronic synthesizers, and world class musicianship. Performing with the Orchestre National de Jazz in Paris, Lehman and a few of his regular collaborators (Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet and Chris Dingman on vibraphone) create immense soundscapes that evoke emotions in groundbreaking ways. A defining characteristic of the album is that compositions find resolution within the confines of what might seem like perpetually discordant harmony. Emotional tension and release is accomplished with a harmonic palette that seems almost anathema to release itself.
The opening track, “39,” evokes Mingus with a bass feature grounded by a menacing, grimy groove in the drums and bass. Dense and tense Harmonies engulfed the listener in chaotic electronic vibraphone chimes and raucous Marimba pepperings. At what already feels like the energetic climax, Steve shreds over the top with improvisational virtuosity to elevate the intensity even further
On “Los Angeles Imagiary,” three soloists trade improvisations over a completely erratic time feel, never losing their melodic flow. As is common on many of Lehman’s tunes, the typical melodic form is eschewed, with the band jumping right into the improvisational exchange that drives the music. The level of execution by the drummer (Rafaël Koerner) over this perpetually irregular groove is unbelievable.
Lehman (pictured front left with glasses) and the Orchestre National de Jazz
Other tracks play with syncopated rhythms and repeated melodies that evoke a hip-hop and metal influence. Repeated chord hits on “Jeux D’anches” drive the tune, overflowing with rhythm and eventually buoyed by the vibes enhanced with marvelous effects pedals. The Meshuggah fan in me was losing it every time the repeated melodic theme of “Speed Freeze 2” was played, leaving me to bang my head and grin.
So much of Lehman’s unique vision comes through on this album. Thought provoking and intense harmonic density that provides just enough handholds for the listener to come along on the emotional ride. I only wish that our own country supported the arts to the same extent that France does, enabling this incredible orchestra to pay artists for ground-breaking contemporary music. While the harmonies may feel intimidating on first approach, I encourage listeners to sit with the tracks to discover the unique energetic frequencies buried within them.
You can buy the album on Bandcamp here: https://stevelehman.bandcamp.com/album/ex-machina
