Josh Johnson and Christian McBride prep new jazz LPs
The modern soundscape of jazz is anything but static. As the new generation of musicians pushes boundaries, we are witnessing a fascinating collision of diverse musical impulses, where tradition meets the future in unexpected, thrilling ways. Two recent projects from Josh Johnson and Christian McBride perfectly illustrate this trend: one ventures into the electro-acoustic realm, the other builds a sprawling, hybrid ensemble rooted deeply in funk, soul, and experimental freedom.
On the electronic edge is saxophonist, keyboardist, and producer Josh Johnson, whose upcoming album Animative is an exercise in sonic alchemy. Johnson is building an electro-acoustic language that masterfully blends skeletal soul-jazz, post-bop harmonies, electronic minimalism, and dreamy ambience. This project is his first release under his own name and marks a compelling journey into creating music that feels profoundly human, even when powered by synthesizers and drum machines.
Johnson’s creative process is as distinctive as his sound. He frequently employs his saxophone not just as an instrument, but as a controller for samplers and drum machines, manipulating loops and effects. His goal is to ensure that technology serves physical expression, resulting in a sound that is simultaneously digital and deeply visceral.
The album Animative will be available physically on October 23 via International Anthem/Nonesuch, with a streaming release following November 10. The recording features contributions from artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Macie Stewart, Marquis Hill, and Ben Lumsdaine, demonstrating Johnson’s extensive network of collaborators.
Meanwhile, bassist and composer Christian McBride is exploring a distinctly different hybrid approach with his debut album from his new ensemble, Ursa Major, titled Points of Light. McBride, an 11-time Grammy winner, has assembled Ursa Major—a group that marries acoustic jazz sensibilities with the raw energy of funk, soul, hip-hop, and experimental territory.
Ursa Major features McBride alongside saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris, along with four younger musicians McBride has nurtured since 2022. McBride describes the ensemble as a “hybrid band,” a spontaneous formation that allows the musicians to move freely across various genres.
The sound of Points of Light is a rich tapestry of this interplay. The project was produced by Terrace Martin, renowned for his work with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Stevie Wonder, alongside Quintin Gulledge, capturing the collective live energy of the group. The album is primarily composed of original material, punctuated by a dynamic track that features a version of George Duke’s “No Rhyme, No Reason,” infused with Martin’s atmospheric soundscapes and vocoder effects.
Both Johnson and McBride are charting new territories in the world of contemporary music, proving that the pursuit of authentic expression, whether through electronic sound design or organic ensemble creation, remains the beating heart of innovation in jazz and beyond.
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