Recording: Jairus Sharif & Mustafa Rafiq

Artist: Jairus Sharif & Mustafa Rafiq

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Music Gallery (Emergents Series), June 14, 2023.

Jairus Sharif & Mustafa Rafiq - unknown

This highly-anticipated set from Calgary saxophonist Jairus Sharif (who impressed with last year's Water & Tools album, issued by Telephone Explosion) saw him dive deeper into his sounds, stripping back much of the album's percussive drive in favour of surging spiritual explorations. Huge credit there to guitarist Mustafa Rafiq, who found joy in repetition, underpinning Sharif's sounds, especially in an expansive take on the album's "Humility", where his patient fuzzed-out bassline gave Sharif oodles of space to inhabit. Sharif also occupied physical space, falling to his knees and even laying down to play when not prowling around with bells and other hand percussion. A joyful release of energy, auguring further developments in the healing force of the universe.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!