Sasha Berliner – Onyx (Gate) [LP]

For several years we’ve been following the billowing musical universe of Tyshawn Sorey. From new classical to heavy metal to all manner of improvisational music, Tyshawn is a label favorite and just a mind-blowing multi-hyphenate. Included in his talents is the consistent integration of some of the best young musicians into his many bands. For a while his sextet included a young woman who played the vibraphone like a maniacal dervish, intent with the most laser-like focus we’ve seen. She is Sasha Berliner, a San Francisco native who is bound for stardom. Sasha put together the quintet to record this album from her many high-level musical associates: James Francies and Julius Rodriguez on keyboards; Burniss Travis II on bass; Marcus Gilmore on drums and Jaleel Shaw on alto sax. Thana Alexa contributed a vocal on one song. The first JMI record to be recorded outside Reservoir Studio, this one was tracked and mixed at Ben Kane’s Electric Garden in Brookl