Kairos Moment
Artist: Kairos 4Tet
Label: Kairos Records
Time: 16 tracks / 66 mins

So, ‘they don’t make them like that anymore,’ eh? They do now. This is a tremendous début from a quartet led by saxophonist Adam Waldman. Their mellifluous jazz has its roots in classic improvisational quartets, but wears 21st century clothes. Full of recognisable tunes, with just the right degree of improvisation, its confidence and maturity take the breath away.  

Waldman is often rightly compared to Wayne Shorter and Julian Arguelles, although his quartet sounds less distinctive than either of their ensembles, but I also found his phrasing and lyrical style taking me back to Barbara Thompson at times. Although he leads, Walkman gives free rein to Rob Barron’s fluid and sensitive piano playing, and the music is all the better for the wealth of input. Barron has played with the likes of Damon Albarn and Kanye West, but the others also have their playing credits: bassist Jasper Hoiby has his own respected trio and Jon Scott of the Loop Collective has drummed for the twists and turns of Ivo Neame’s complex jazz. Lest he should be forgotten, Waldman himself has guested with Gwilym Simcock. 

Opener “V.C.” and “Enough is Enough (Hotpocket)” are the only two tracks to take a more angular approach, but neither is awkward, and both intrigue the mind without distancing the body. The latter’s staccato stabs introduce a funkiness that continues under Hoiby’s short bass solo.  

Otherwise, it is easy-flowing, melodic jazz all the way, each player completely aware of the others as they interweave. There are three shorter “Kairos Moments,” generally warm, improvisational interludes between longer pieces; and it is the extended works that allow the quartet to build. “Long Distance Lien” begins and ends with ringing-bell-like ripples from Barron, who has space to solo later, while one contender for best track, “Russell’s Resurgence” is a piece built on a deliciously perky riff that bass and piano both play around with well. The ten-minute “Hymn to Her” runs along a simpler track that gives most of them a chance to solo. 

I was disappointed when I heard that there would be a vocal piece, as it seemed likely to break the instrumental mood. I need never have worried. One of the highlights of the album, “Unresolved” adds the silky smooth vocals of Emilia Martensson and they blend perfectly. As she ends the chorus, her tone almost morphs straight into Waldman’s sax.   

Despite competition from other discs waiting for review, this has padlocked itself into my player. It may not break stylistic boundaries, but it’s no worse for that. I’d rather have this self-confident and poetic release than one that is so full of itself and tries so hard to impress that it is equally hard to enjoy. With talented musicianship, sustained mood, classic themes and fluid interplay, this is real jazz for real music lovers. Recommended.
 

Derek Walker

(easily)