Bleep

LA ambient jazz figurehead Carlos Niño and his Friends collective return to International Anthem for yet another LP of explorative improv entitled Placenta. Niño’s first release since his profile-raising collaboration with André 3000, Placenta is a celebration of life and his recent ascension (once again) into fatherhood as well as an impromptu coming out party of sorts for the loosely-defined but deeply familial Los Angeles in-scene he has surveyed for quite a while. A veritable who’s who of jazz players (including André himself) appear here, giving off the vibe of family reunion over put-upon artistic statement. However, the music herein is as laser-focused and slyly virtuosic as ever, as tracks like ‘In Appreciation of Chico Hamilton’s Vast Influence on the West Coast Sound’ and ‘“Play Kerri Chandler’s RAIN”’ trace influences and strains while simultaneously putting a stamp on this vital movement’s own signature vibe.