Keyboardist, composer, improvisor, and bandleader Lafayette Gilchrist has amassed numerous credits since first hitting the scene in the 1990s, including soundtracking the television work of David Simon and playing in the band of jazz titan David Murray. Amongst Gilchrist’s earliest achievements is the formation of his own band the New Volcanoes. After a seven-year break, the New Volcanoes are back on record with the live set Move With Love, which is out on vinyl, compact disc, and digital July 25 through Morphius Records. It’s a bright and energetic dive into positivity at the crossroads of jazz and funk.
One of Lafayette Gilchrist’s main objectives with the New Volcanoes was to interweave jazz, funk, hip-hop, and DC go-go. He’s been successful in this goal, and the latest iteration of the band continues the winning streak, featuring Gilchrist on keyboard, Carl Filipiak on guitar, Leo Maxey on trumpet, Christian Hizon on trombone, Anthony “Blue” Jenkins on bass guitar, Shaquim Muldrow on tenor sax, Kevin Pinder on drums, Bashi Rose on percussion and guests Ebban Dorsey on alto sax and Efraim Dorsey on tenor sax for four of the six tracks on the album.
Recorded live on September 6, 2024, at the Baltimore venue, the ClubCar, “Cut Through the Chase” kicks off the set with a sturdy groove, loose and lively but focused, with the guitar establishing ties to 1970s funk that are strengthened by the grand sweep of the horns. “Move With Love” keeps the party cooking, Gilchrist out front early before the horns seize the spotlight. Midway through, Filipiak gets a solo spot, and then Pindar and Rose work it out.
“Bamboozled” has Filipiak setting the tone as the Dorseys enter the scheme, the ensemble blowing vibrant and unified as Gilchrist swings into a lengthy excursion in the driver’s seat, mingling composed elements with improvisational spark. It’s in “Basta” that the go-go influence bursts through vividly, though the band augments the thick groove with jazzy flair and even some rock action in the guitar department. Maxey’s late trumpet solo is a treat.
Hizon sounds fine on trombone throughout Move With Love, but he shines especially bright in the opening moments of “Baby Steps” and then delivers a killer solo as the band gives the track some sophisto ‘70s instrumental R&B flavor. The album’s live performance was undertaken as part of the Cross Pollination Festival, with the title of the final piece reflecting the connection to the fest as the tune was perhaps worked up specifically for the occasion.
Kicking into high gear and then fading out quickly, “Cross Pollination Aggregation” concludes this documentation of the New Volcanoes in sharp form. Move With Love is another worthy addition to Gilchrist’s discography.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
A-
