Jonathan Barber: Legacy Holder
Vision Ahead Music

Jonathan Barber issued one of the more auspicious debut albums in recent memory when Vision Ahead arrived two years ago. Met with considerable acclaim, the recording not only documented his superb musicianship as a drummer but also his smarts as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. That accomplished debut release set the bar high for its inevitable follow-up, yet Legacy Holder doesn't disappoint; if anything, it could be seen as a refinement of the vision presented on the debut, with the New York City-based Barber bringing extra clarity to the stylistic ground to which he's committed himself. The recording, in other words, reflects a maturing of Barber's concept.

The musicians with which he's surrounded himself in Vision Ahead (the band) are key to the reception his music, a striking blend of modern jazz and fusion seasoned with soul and rock, has engendered. On Legacy Holder, he and bassist Matt Dwonszyk provide a solid foundation for pianist Taber Gable, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, and, guesting on the opening track, vocalist Mar Vilaseca. At eight pieces and forty-five minutes, the album's also well-considered in its length and content, the recording substantial enough to make a complete statement without overstaying its welcome.

Naturally, soloing's abundant, yet the tunes aren't excuses for blowing. Barber's pieces are compositions out of which solo turns organically emerge, their placement thoughtfully considered beforehand. The eight pieces depend as much, if not more, on structure than individual expression, however much they lend themselves to the latter. All of the material's credited to Barber except for the Dwonszyk-penned “Haikus,” a fine addition to the album whose Latin-tinged drive elicits from the players some of the set's most swinging responses. One could be forgiven for thinking Barber and the band were listening to some of Tony Williams' late-career albums before recording the fiery “Major,” so reminiscent is the performance (Barber's drumming, too) of, say, Native Heart and The Story of Neptune.

Legacy Holder surprises in many ways. The luscious song featuring vocalist Mar Vilaseca, for example, is sequenced first rather than midway through or in the penultimate spot. And after “The Call” opens the album with a soulful ballad, its allure intensified by the singer's warm voice, “Find My Way” doesn't shift gears with a blazing throwdown but instead builds on the restrained mood with a entrancing slow-builder whose absence of solos puts the attention firmly on ensemble interplay. Barber continues to challenge expectations by following that ballad with another, the title track in this case advancing from its mellow intro into something more dynamic. A sensitive turn from Renfroe builds in intensity, with Barber and Gable supporting his every move, after which solos traded between Louis and the pianist add to the performance's ascent. Another surprise arises when a raw guitar riff powers “Son of Hartford,” a gesture that ostensibly nudges the tune in jazz-rock's direction.

Barber's a consummate drummer: imaginative, ever tasteful in his choices, and sensitive to what will enhance a performance. He's capable of providing bluster when needed but also able to pull back and not overpower the music; he's inventive, too, as illustrated by the switch-up in groove at the close of “Find My Way.” His bandmates distinguish themselves, too. Consider, for example, how much “Seconds & Seasons” is elevated by the respective turns taken by Louis, Gable, Renfroe, and the leader himself during the 3/4 exploration. Exemplifying fine balance, Legacy Holder models taste and subtlety while at the same time ensuring that the fire of the performances isn't kept too much under control.

With Barber being but thirty years old, it might seem premature for him to be giving thought to legacy. But his professional musical career is now a decade-long, and the list of credits Barber's amassed in that time is impressive. That's given him more than enough opportunity to reflect on where his music's come from and where he envisions it going, and thus it's only natural for him to be considering the part he's playing in it and how to help foster its growth. To that end, Barber's Vision Ahead and, by extension, Legacy Holder embody the directions musically and culturally to which he's aspiring.

May 2020