Steve Reid Ensemble: Daxaar

Label: Domino

Reid recorded this album in Senegal with local musicians, but there’s lots of stylistic variety. The opening track is a low-key introduction, acoustic and drumless, but after that it’s more what we expect from Reid, definitely funkier than his duo recordings with Keiran Hebden (Four Tet). Often the tracks gradually build in density, with Reid’s beats becoming more intricate and ornate as the intensity grows. The title track has strong African flavors but also odd synth burblings that keep it from being retro. “Jiggy Jiggy” is nine minutes of hard-driving Latin funk, with Reid laying down a powerful, subtly varied groove. “Dabronxxar” is spacey fusion jazz featuring trumpet, electric piano riffing, and, again, grooving juggernaut Reid; Hebden contributes some freaky electronics. Fat organ chords set the modal tone on “Big G’s Family,” which sports Santana-esque Latin-rock timbres complete with coruscating guitar. We’re back in spacey fusion jazz territory again on “Don’t Look Back,” but with a harder edge and more probing guitar. This disc is a must for anyone into adventurous soul-jazz grooves. (Steve)