Jasper Høiby, bassist and founder of Phronesis, recently announced that the band will take a break for a while. He took the opportunity to put forward a new project: Planet B, his trio with British saxophonist Josh Arcoleo and French drummer Marc Michel. Over the next four years, the band will release four albums, each with a theme of its own: humanity, climate change, artificial intelligence and the economy.
So here we are with the first part of the undertaking, which deals with the subject of humanity’s place in the ecosystem, nothing less! To do this, Høiby has embellished the record with recordings of the voices of thinkers and activists such as Jiddu Krishnamurti, Ram Dass and John Robert Lewis. Some may find these recited passages decorative or disturbing, but they fit in well with the ensemble and are thought-provoking.
After a solemn introduction played with a bow, and a second piece in which the energy gradually increases, the Danish double bassist known for his dynamic playing propels his two partners into volatile territory. Keep a close eye on these musicians! Arcoleo is a passionate saxman whose intensity can at times approach that of a JD Allen. Just listen to his spectacular performance on “Life Is a Gift” and you’ll see for yourself. Michel, for his part, is not to be outdone. The crazy polyrhythms he deploys throughout the album – especially on “Interconnectedness” – are impressive. Fans of Marc Guiliana should appreciate it.
We’re already looking forward to hearing the rest of this project featuring a particularly tight-knit jazz trio.
