Here Comes The Flood: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: The Battle for Earth

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO) are fighting the good fight on the new live album The Battle for Earth. Culled from two shows (December 16-17, 2014) at Dazzle in Denver, CO, the trio revisit the bulk of the material from their 2014 album Worker. There is a looseness and confidence that wasn't quite captured on the studio recorsdings. Playing at one of their favorite venues before an appreciative audience was obviously inspiring. The tracks serve as the soundtrack for a rather dark sci-fi story about an alien invasion (the album is also released in conjunction with a comic book), but the compositions don't really to be illustrated. The trio can paint with notes, switching between short burst of free-jazz freak-out and good old honky-tonk bar bits.

JFJO have been through many incarnations throughout their 21 year career. The current trio have been playing together since 2008 and have an uncanny musical rapport. Founding member Brian Haas brings a wide array of psychedelic keyboards, guitarist Chris Combs throws in the odd rock lick to keep the audience on their toes and drummer Joshua Raymer serves as a bedrock and third lead player for the price of one.

More accessible than their NYC counterparts Medeski Martin & Wood their particular blend of jazz should had no trouble to cross-over to the jam band scene and open-minded rock fans. Those aliens that came hurling from the skies in The Battle for Earth never stood a chance. They will be send home crying for their mama's or be converted by the power and joy of this music.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey:
Brian Haas: acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Moog bass, synths and Melodica
Joshua Raymer: drums
Chris Combs: electric guitar, lap steel guitar, synths