Sam Gendel
★★★★
CookUp
NONESUCH. CD/DL/LP
Prolific LA ambient jazz saxophonist re-imagines turn-of-the-century R&B hits.
Among the most unpredictable saxophonist stylists out there, Gendel has collaborated with bassist Sam Wilkes, indie auteur Blake Mills and teenage producer Antonia Cytrynowicz. Reunited with regular rhythm section Gabe Noel and Philippe Melanson, these typically lopsided, minimalist R&B covers – witness the whooshing waves and high whistling harmonics applied to All-4-One’s I Swear – riff selectively off the original’s key elements, highlighting Gendel’s breathy psychedelic style (not a million miles away from Jon Hassell). Highlights include a total tonal flip on Aaliyah’s Are You That Somebody, Meshell Ndegeocello’s sensuous, close-miked vocal turn on 112’s Anywhere, a playful re-imagining of Mario’s megahit Let Me Love You and a mysterious ambient retake on Ginuwine’s thug ballad In Those Jeans. If some recent projects have lacked focus, CookUp highlights Gendel’s daring interpretative strengths.