JUNIUS PAUL

Ism INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM

8/10

Jazz bassist’s debut as bandleader Emerging from Chicago’s jazz underground, Junius Paul has distinguished himself playing with both contemporary names (Makaya Mccraven) and bona fide legends (Art Ensemble Of Chicago). His debut LP Ism, recorded with Mccraven and a host of Chicago names, is especially bold – wise to funk and gospel but powered by a free and improvisatory spirit. The latter is evident on takeno-prisoners opener “You Are Free To Choose”, a whirlwind of piano, drums and hats with Paul’s bass zig-zagging through the maelstrom. But Ism is finest when at its funkiest: see “Baker’s Dozen”, Rajiv Halim’s saxophone rippling through an irresistible drum break.