Apple Cores is one of 2025's best jazz records so seeing the trio behind the album bring the music to life was a real treat and the divine setting of Public Records helped make the event a true pleasure. Accompanied by Chad Taylor on drums and Josh Werner on electric bass, Lewis led the trio with flawless power, his saxophone a magnet for melodies while the rhythm section kept things light and funky. Taylor's fills behind the kit were loose and playful and Werner held steady grooves of solid funk and blustery rhythms and it all gelled together in a very spirited motion. Free from the confines of any one style of jazz, the clear mastery and historical knowledge displayed by Lewis was inspiring and liberating as he followed the flows of sound with bursts of triumphant joy all of which was locked down by the other two men on stage as they kept things in tight grooves when needed, but also made things free from confinement, giving the songs a freewheeling energy. Following last year's joint record with The Messthetics (aka the rhythm section of Fugazi), these tunes from Lewis are much more inviting and void of the intensity that comes with one of the all-time greatest punk bands on bass and drums. Still, despite the more reserved approach, the trio were sharp and focused, hitting their marks with extreme precision just when it seemed like their overall baggy jams were letting go of their structure. Watching the three navigate the set, finding their pockets to extend the jam, and each of them cutting loose with free flowing solos, all of which received elevated applause from the crowd, was mesmerizing and powerful. Turning off the snare for "Prince Eugene" gave the song its airy quality and brought the vibes to a meditative state while "Five Spots to Caravan" was a nurturing tune inspired by the career of Don Cherry. While it's Lewis' name on the record, the rotational aspect of the group was prominent in the set as each member of the trio took their own moment to highlight their strengths and display their talents so even though Lewis was at the helm, it truly felt like a full band performance with all of their minds and creative vibes kicking in at all the right times. Even without guitar or mbira in the mix, the almost stripped back feeling and sound of the set made it feel even more special, the trio's raw sound coming through strong as they showed what years of trust and understanding can do for the craft.
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