Black Nile
MASS MoCA, 2026, CD
Instrument: Instrumental
Issue: 32.1
Jazz Ruler Type: AcidJazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 81
O’s Notes: Black Nile features two brothers Aaron (sax) and Lawrence (b) Shaw, a Los Angeles duo combining urban grooves, sampling and a generous dose of electronics with syncopated jazz. They include keyboardists Luca Mendoza & Brian Hargrove, and Myles Martin (d) as they take jazz into a fresh new grove that is exciting a younger generation. They set the stage with “The Ritual of Returning”, tuning up for a set of free expression. “City of Silent Angels” is a platform for Aaron on soprano saxophonist and he’s up for it. We also enjoyed the mellow “City Of Fire”, “Ashes in the Berkshires”, and the retro sounds on “Slauson Fog” courtesy of the wah-wah and synthesizer. It’s even better on successive takes, so take the time to embrace it.
Publicist: Hearth PR
