Abstract Quantities

Trumpeter McCullough and pianist Weijters recorded this very contemporary sounding disc last summer in Brussels. Like Robert Glasper, Vijay Iyer, The Bad Plus, and Kris Bowers, sometimes they use traditional jazz instrumentation and structure to enhance melodies and beats that might resonate for audiences weaned on acid jazz and hip-hop, for example, "Billions". "Mr. Rubato", on the other hand evokes the image of a soul wandering among rocky crags on a sullen day. There are gospel echoes, Miles cool jazz elements, but what really floats my boat are the sweet melodies found throughout regardless of styles, particularly "The Same Prelude" and "The Same But Different".