Time to cozy up
A strong combination of Chicago jazz musicians, at the helm of Kevin Ford’s production, makes Imperial Boxmen: a jazz ensemble with an impressive history in their genre. With their self-debut album, Boxmen create a welcoming and relaxing eight-track album. It doesn’t push any boundaries, rather it sits you down and massages you until you’re ready for the day to begin. While the core of Boxmen’s sound breathes similar style to that of acid jazz and funk jazz, their Latin jazz fusion flavor emerges within the traditional drumming and certain tracks.
Boxmen’s strongest elements are highlighted when Ford’s previous work with that of the great Fela Kuti is recognizable within Boxmen’s sound. The opening track “Type B” will grab the attention of any fan of the Persona 5 soundtrack, as its rainy café jazz, and mixing of soft pianos cause cravings for a hot cup of coffee. It’s the transition away from the traditional high-hat splashes and chicks in acid jazz, and into the tribal afrobeat at the end of “Type B” that brings out Boxmen’s roots. The following track “Reduxion” is a typical lounge beat with some impressive soft piano highlights, sticking to a simplistic jazz melody that doesn’t stray too far outside the relaxation boundaries.
Certainly, the most free-form jazz track on the debut is “Imperial 7.” With more electronic sounds found on any other track, “Imperial 7” stands out as a funk ride that won’t lull listeners as much as previous songs. “Imperial 7” sports a piano solo and technical funk drumming that lead to much more variety and exploration that allows for experimentation and some fun highlights. The synths within “Imperial 7” layer a groovy sass that feel like wearing an elegant suit piece strolling down a sidewalk. There is a suave cool nature in the performance throughout both “Imperial 7” and the project.
While there is a heavy focus on the calming piano, there is a beast of a synth organ hiding, waiting to claw out. “Hashley” begins this transition into a funk organ that works well within the other funk jazz elements that could have been introduced in other songs. The distortion at the beginning of the song also benefits as it feels more like an opening statement than previously demonstrated.
The closing songs “Garbage Pale Kids,” “En Solo En Paso” and “Strawberry Feels” all are more reserved than previous songs, sticking to a similar tone throughout the entirety of their run time, all of which are not particularly noteworthy, but dreamy. “Strawberry Feels” especially creates a leisurely atmospheric setting that isn’t a bland elevator ride, but a nice stroll in a familiar place.
Imperial Boxmen have crafted a fully enjoyable album that sinks audiences into a layer of comfort, it is in the comfort that the monotony can creep in. That is not to say that variety is nonexistent, although the glimpses into something as funky as that of artists like Fela Kuti show the potential for diversity within Boxmen’s craft, until that explosive afrobeat nature ignites it is nice to soak in the refreshing lounge elements that Boxmen has formed.
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