After gaining notoriety as a member of rising jazz collective SML, guitarist Gregory Uhlmann has deservedly been receiving praise for his recent solo album Extra Stars and on Wednesday night, he was joined by his bandmate Booker Stardrum on drums as well as Wil Miller on EV, in support of the record and for their first appearance as a trio in New York City. Taking similar tonal approaches to the work he's done in his band or alongside Sam Wilkes and Josh Johnson on their LP as a trio from last year, the music of Extra Stars floats in the cosmic realm of jazz, but certainly isn't jazz jazz, but instead leans even more into ambient territory, music floating freely and into the ether on gentle plumes while falling into slightly more structure than you'd expect. If Uhlmann's work in other projects is more improv based, these tracks hold more of a continuous shape, peaks and valleys appearing when expected in some cases while still stretching out grooves and pushing the abstract vision they hold so well. As is also the case with SML, there are moments when listening to the album that I ask the question: what exactly is making that sound? I imagined that in this setting it'd be easier to discern this while watching the trio live, but alas their were times when I oscillated between Uhlmann and Miller to try and determine just how they were making these noises. This especially hit home on album opener "Pocket Snail," a number that bewilders on record and is even more mesmerizing when performed. Swells of sounds wafted across the room and the euphoric waves washed over us all as they intertwined their celestial phrases into one cosmic swirl. Uhlmann's delayed guitar effects really added to the mix and by the time he'd looped these notes, he'd be on to the next groove and I was lost once again as to just how they were spinning this magic. Behing the kit, Stardrum (what a killer name for the drummer I must say!) locked down rhythms of varying textures, sometimes soft brushes on cymbals and other time light strikes to a bongo. Flowing like a web from his guitar, the melodies weaved through the crowd with grace and ease, the night providing extreme comfort and pure elation. Perhaps the most melodic moment of the night came when Uhlmann announced a cover of his friend Logan Hone's track "Dancing Giddy," picking up the pace a bit, the trio traded grooves in a swift manner that made for one of the more focused and dialed-in portions of the night compared to their otherwise airy and drifting jams. As a part of SML, Uhlmann fits like a glove with his budding riffs amongst the group's interlocking rhythms. On his own, he leads his trio through billowing arrangements of absolute bliss, breezy tunes that come together with a soft and gentle purpose. It's a real joy to witness and a freeing experience that leaves you levitating with a renewed, and rejuvenating feeling.
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