Afterburn: Modern Jazz Heat from McCaslin
A sleek, driving jazz record where McCaslin's tenor and a tight rhythm section push hard and stay focused.
Afterburn opens with momentum and keeps it. The tempos run brisk, the grooves lean toward a modern, electric-leaning pulse, and the tenor saxophone sits right at the front of the mix, bright and muscular. Torben Waldorff's guitar adds a cool, slightly metallic edge, while Sam Yahel's keyboards fill the harmonic space with warm, rounded color. Matt Clohesy and Jon Wikan hold everything together with a drive that feels more rock-adjacent than traditional swing, which gives the record its distinct character.
Donny McCaslin is the clear center of gravity. His playing is fluent and forceful, built on long lines that rise and break with real urgency. The band never lets things sprawl too far, so even the more open passages feel purposeful. It is a record that rewards focused listening, but it is not an austere one. There is plenty of pleasure in the sheer physicality of the playing.
Within McCaslin's catalog, this sits comfortably in the middle of his mid-period work, a solid, forward-leaning statement rather than a career peak. Listeners new to him might find more immediate entry points elsewhere, but for anyone who likes their modern jazz with a bit of bite, it is a strong and rewarding record.
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