Waves - Ross McHenry (2024)
Another one that I thought was a 2025 re-listen but has just been languishing on a playlist for more than a year.
McHenry was the leader of the previously upwritten Shaolin Afronauts. Here he’s in a much more modern jazz vein.
His band includes saxophonist Donny McCaslin (-_-) as well as guitarist Ben Monder, who frequently features in McCaslin’s band as well as playing in the new quartet version of The Bad Plus.
It’s a pleasant, low-key record that never gets too wild, but never gets boring either.
McHenry’s basslines seldom take center stage but they provide a great backbone for the rest of the band.
Tracks I Liked
Waves - The title track is a Metheny-sounding charge through some great harmonic territory
July 1986 - a slow, meditative nocturne
North Of The River - the hopping-est track on here. a joy
