For those not in the know, pianist and composer Bob Schlesinger has just unveiled his highly anticipated debut album as a leader, Falling From Earth.

A project that began in 2018 and was nearly sidelined by the pandemic, the album now emerges as a fully realized statement featuring an all-star lineup: legendary guitarist Mike Stern, former Bill Evans bassist Eddie Gomez, in-demand drummer Billy Drummond, as well as bassist Kevin Axt, drummer Steve Hass, and others.

Originally recorded in two sessions—at Sear Sound in New York City and Coupe Studios in Boulder—Schlesinger’s vision was initially slated for release in 2020. However, as the world came to a standstill, he seized the opportunity to reevaluate and refine the material alongside engineer-producer John March.

The result is an album that captures both the raw spontaneity of the sessions and a meticulous post-production process reminiscent of Miles Davis and Teo Macero’s groundbreaking work on Bitches Brew. Falling From Earth showcases Schlesinger’s compositional prowess and deep musical connections, blending four original compositions, four Stern-penned pieces, an epic co-written improvisation, and thoughtfully curated covers.

The sonic landscape ranges from the intimacy of a jazz trio to the fiery energy of an electric quartet, weaving together elements of modern jazz, fusion, and post-bop.

1. Easy Offramp
2. Wing and a Prayer
3. Bait Tone Blues
4. Brush Stroke
5. Common Ground
6. Left Field
7. Suspone
8. But What Do You Want To Play
9. A Child is Born
10. Quién Es
11. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

On what is one of the most delicious of musical experiences that I have had the pleasure to listen to this year, this brand-new recording opens on the furtively playful, expansive 13-minute Easy Offramp and a gentle stillness that is brought forth within Wing and a Prayer, and then we get the highly infectious rhythmic grooves that drive Bait Tone Blues, the fervently hued Brush Stroke, and some dulcet piano work that comes to the fore on the stunning Common Ground.

Along next on this simply sumptuous new set is the low-slung ambiance of Left Field and that is itself backed wonderfully by the veritably cinematic Suspone, the strongly-commanding But What Do You Want To Play, an all-encompassing rendition of Thad Jones’ A Child is Born, rounding out on the delicately ornate Quién Es, coming to a close on the breathtakingly ornate, Gospel-hued Bob Dylan cut It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).

www.bobschlesingerjazz.com