Who’s the eponymous inner prophet of Melissa Aldana’s second Blue Note release? The tenor saxophonist herself! A decade and a half of touring, gigging and recording has given Aldana deep insights that guide her musical trajectory. This latest album forges a connection to those internal revelations and sticks rigidly to the prophesied pathway. The journey is, in fact, the destination.
That may seem like an introspective concept – but collaboration and community are key themes too. Aldana shares the studio with regular members of her quintet. Lage Lund plays guitar and Fabian Almazan joins on piano, plus bassist Pablo Menares and drummer Kush Abadey. Two of the eight tracks are dedicated to Aldana’s influences, while Lund and Menares add one composition each.
The saxophone is the star of show, of course. Aldana’s sound has a bendy and sliding quality, which she uses to carve out unusual melodic movements. Unconscious Whispers showcases her ability to squeeze notes sharp before squashing them flat. Her solo here explores and re-explores strong motifs, with Aldana letting the leash slacken before yanking it taut.
Ritual begins with pretty piano, shushing saxophone and brushes on the drumkit. The track was composed by Menares and his bass gets the first chance to splash colour around the harmonic pencil lines. More momentum arrives on A Purpose, which communicates a more optimistic outlook than the album’s predominantly pensive material.
Aldana’s control of pitch gives her instrument a distinctive voice. Echoes Of The Inner Prophet follows a clear course, but with few changes of speed or scenery. After a decade and half on the jazz scene, Aldana seems to have gathered a very settled concept of her preferred path. That’s an important milestone. Some listeners, however, may long for more twists or turbulence.
Discography
Echoes Of The Inner Prophet; Unconscious Whispers; A Story; The Solitary Seeker; Ritual; A Purpose; Cone Of Silence; I Know You Know (42.54)
Aldana (ts); Fabian Almazan (p, effects); Lage Lund (g, effects); Pablo Menares (b); Kush Abadey (d). New York, 2024.
Blue Note, no number supplied
