Conviction

Kendrick Scott’s Conviction is a finely shaped and paced album that flows from start to end. Scott and his band Oracle (bassist Joe Sanders, pianist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Mike Moreno, and saxophonist Jon Ellis) impress on this set of intriguing covers and originals. “Pendulum,” written by the electronic British group Broadcast, manages to be both dreamy and rhythmically driving: Scott’s wordless vocals add a layer of airy texture even as his powerhouse drumming energizes the track. Guest Alan Hampton sings and plays guitar on “Too Much,” penned by the indie pop artist Sufjan Stevens. A cover of Herbie Hancock’s '60s gem “I Have a Dream” features a bass solo by Sanders as the band percolates behind him. Later, Moreno spins out a compelling guitar statement. “Liberty or Death” has some nice bass clarinet from Ellis, and “Be Water”—which includes a recording of martial arts master Bruce Lee speaking—finds the band sounding particularly fluid. The album closes quietly with a solo Eigsti performing “Memory of Enchantment,” a ballad by the Dutch pianist and composer Michael Bortslap.