Michael Mason has long had a unique life. As if being a very skilled flutist with his own musical personality was not enough, he has been a firefighter in Chicago for over four decades and has taught others at the Fire Academy for over a decade.
His previous albums, which include such titles as Visionary, Exploration, Angels of Fire, Human Revolution, Transcendence, Impermanence, and Luminosity, are uplifting and soothing without ever being sleepy. They blend together jazz improvisation with the sounds and rhythms of World Music while celebrating Mother Nature.
US has the flutist leading a colorful group that also includes electric guitarist Scot Ashley, cellist Ian Maksin, bassist Geoff Lowe, and Danny Goessling on hang drums, hand pans, drums, and percussion. While there are occasional solos from the players, this is an ensemble-oriented music with Mason (even as the lead voice) operating as part of the whole. The musicians complement each other very well, always serving the music and the mood.
Each of the eight selections can function as high-quality background music, but they reward close listening for a lot is always going on. The sound of the ensembles is unique, the grooves are pleasing, and the concise solos are filled with subtle creativity. The opener, “Bodhisattva,” introduces the group with Mason stating its theme with passion. “The Middle Way” starts out sounding spiritual, a playful groove emerges along with an inventive riff melody, and a pattern in 14/4 is catchy. “Dreams” is a relaxing and thoughtful waltz, “Liberation” (which has some prominent cello) includes a repetitious theme and the feel of a march, and “Wise Heart” combines a laidback theme with a slightly funky bass. “Tender The World” is especially exotic both in its melody and the percussion that Goessling utilizes. “Inner And Outer” is an infectious rhythmic piece while the closer, “Transformation,” has Mason and Ashley taking turns in the lead.
The sounds, grooves, and rhythms that Michael Mason and his musicians create on US are largely beyond classification as anything but enjoyable music.