Edge of the Century

Nakai continues his collaboration with musicians outside the Native American tradition with this release. Amo Chip Dabney is a versatile multi-instrumentalist who brings a gentle jazz sensibility to Nakai's rich flute playing. With various saxophones, bass, and synthesizers, Dabney adds just the right touches of muted colors to these introspective pieces. He has played with artists as diverse as Sun Ra & His Omniverse Arkestra, Queen Ida, and O.J. Ekemode & the Nigerian All-Stars. Here, his approach is reined in to meet the demands of Nakai's delicate style. The result is a collection of pieces with subtle textures and understated, flowing melodies. Dabney's sax and Nakai's flute sound like sister instruments as they trade and interweave lines. This is jazz of the smoothest, most lyrical kind, yet without a trace of clichéd new age saccharine. The slightly more upbeat "Stomp Dance," with its twangy, jingly percussion and slightly grating dissonance, is about as rowdy as these guys get, yet it never goes overboard. The compositions here live up to their evocative titles. "Quetzalcoatl" is a mysterious soundscape with vocalizations deep back in the mix, drums, and soaring soprano sax. On " "Spirit Sharing," Nakai's double flute is shored up by Dabney's swooshing synth. The title track has a cool urban jazz flow to it, with Nakai doing double duty on trumpet and flute. With the smoky piano backdrop, the effect is almost noirish. Edge of the Century is one of Nakai's strongest releases, and a fine introduction to the work of Amo Chip Dabney.