Album review: Micah Thomas - Mountains (Artwork Records)

Micah Thomas (piano); Adam O'Farrill (trumpet); Immanuel Wilkins (alto sax); Nicole Glover (tenor sax); Caleb Smith (trombone); Kanoa Mendenhall (bass); Kweku Sumbry (drums)

Recorded live at NYC's Jazz Gallery over two nights in June 2023, Mountains is Thomas' attempt to evoke the grandeur and diversity of the natural landscapes represented on the album.

Not being familiar with these particular landscapes nor able to relate them to the titles I cannot comment as to how successful he's been. 

However, treating the music purely on a contemporary jazz basis it's interesting and original. The changing moods and tempos captured my attention albeit with a bit of a struggle. This is personified in Libre which it most certainly is. As the personnel shows there are some big names aboard, including the leader and they've collectively and individually produced some thought-provoking moments that are worth checking out.

If Mingus had still been with us he may well have been working the same side of the street although not necessary on the same block.

Although it's not really my cup of cocoa there are moments of beauty, particularly in the themes which are harmonically and melodically rich but when the arsonists moved into the pet shop I moved out.

In fairness when reviewing it's a case of horses for courses and I should really have saddled someone who's more forward thinking than myself - just can't get the staff. Lance

Life; Processing; Lament; Libre; No Answer; Hide; The Mountain; Nomad; Collapse; Encounter; Through; Coda.