Aaron Shaw: And So It Is

"Shaw's tenor saxophone has the affect of a vital organ-something pulsing unconsciously underneath the more willful mechanics of a body (or in this case, band) in motion. Here, that body includes an array of West Coast jazz heavyweights, including Carlos Niño on percussion; Nate Mercereau on guitar, percussion, and wind; and Sam Reid and Jamael Dean, both on piano. They initiate us into Shaw's galactic school of existentialism on opener "Soul Journey" where, halfway through, a chime-laden intro locks into a tight groove."

"It's the first instance of a push-pull dynamic that recurs throughout the record. Shaw toggles between mysticism and toe-tapping rhythm, between experimentation and predictability, his songs inclined both to meander into the unknown and to return to melody. The playful, syncopated piano riff at the midpoint of "Windows to the Soul" sounds impish, like a cat tiptoeing towards a fishbowl-then, a minute later, it's tumbling up and down the scale, barely anchored by the sturdy chords in the background."

Aaron Shaw crafted the record after a harrowing bone marrow failure diagnosis, channeling illness into music that probes isolation, embodiment, and meaning-making. The sound alternates between desolate and joyful, serene and psychedelic, combining astral journeying with intimate reckoning to expose illness and grief's corners. Shaw's tenor saxophone functions like a vital organ, pulsing beneath ensemble motion. The lineup includes West Coast collaborators such as Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Sam Reid, and Jamael Dean. Opener "Soul Journey" establishes a recurring push-pull between mysticism and groove. Tracks move between experimentation and melody, with playful piano, steady harmonic anchors, and an unhurried, meditative pace.

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