Aeon / Umbrasia is a grimy doom jazz album straight from the swamp, the third part of the Aeon trilogy of EPs. While the genre name "swamp-jazz" is new terminology to me, I couldn't agree with that description more.
We open big with distorted trumpet layered over grimy metal bass. Having grown up in swamp territory myself, I'm reminded of that uniquely oppressive feeling of hot rain while the sun somehow continues to bear down.
Every second of this album hits. From the chugging bass in track one, Melophagous, to the watery ambience, eerie choir, and tribal drums on track three, Boil The Penumbra, and the uplifting piano on track 4, Remembering To Forget.
The sense of pace feels dialed in to perfection, beating me down when I want it and pulling me back up when I need it. Each track brings its own feeling and distinct sonic palette underneath the consistent jazz-fusion trumpet while always staying true to the overarching vision.
This is a great next step for fans of Miles Davis's fusion work in the 70s or anyone familiar with the Polish yass-jazz band "Pink Freud".
The only disappointment I have is that I hadn't listened to it sooner.
