The young saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins hit the ground running in 2020 with
Omega, his debut album for the authoritative Blue Note label. The NY Times, among others, voted it best jazz album of that year. It undoubtedly made Wilkins not only grow, but also sound extremely confident on The 7th Hand. This time he dives even deeper into a spiritual mix of gospel, free jazz and post-bop. For Wilkins,
… not the doomed hip-hop and funk influences that so characterize his generation, but the black church music of the 20th century, as it also influenced Albert Ayler and Ornette Coleman. Names that resonate on the frenetic The 7th Hand, as in the long free jazz exercise Lift with energetic solos for all band members. It's remarkable how Wilkins, with his regular band, is able to give it an energy of its own that is entirely of the 21st century. (MR)more
