Music Monday: Some Provocations for the Start of the Fall

It’s officially the start of the fall semester and the unofficial beginning of fall. Such seasonal changes feel like a provocation to me. They’re a challenge to my regular routine, my schedules, and in many cases my way of thinking. 

To kick off this time of change, inspiration, and provocation, I put on Zoh Amba’s O Light, O Life Vol. 2 (feat. William Parker and Francisco Mela), the follow up to the sensational first volume. These tracks were recorded at the same season as Vol. 1. What she gives away in confidence, she maintains in intensity and commitment. It’s the kind of everyday brilliance that perhaps won’t satisfy the critics because it’s not completely polished, but will continue to trace her trajectory as the heir to Albert Ayler and the post-Coltrane sound.

Here’s a taste of her work from the recording of O Light, O Life Vols. 1 and 2:

For something a bit less “in your face” provocative, but still deeply entertaining, is saxophonologist Nubya Garcia’s opening set for Khuangbin at Radio City Music Hall.

She’s in fine form and offers a great example of the ongoing Renaissance in Anglo-jazz.

For those who don’t know Khuangbin, they’re a great outfit and keep the groove going down the B-side of this split release. If you haven’t heard their collaboration with Leon Bridges from a few years back, then you’re really missing something. Here they are performing their collaboration at Glastonbury in 2022:

Finally, for those of you who aren’t as excited by the start of the new semester as I am, I offer some classic “get out the door music” (in the spirit of my colleague Sharon Carson who coined the phrase):