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First jazz gem discovery of 2008. This album from Alan Pasqua has throwback fusion undercurrents spiced with enough modern freshness to make it extremely interesting.

The album opens with a slightly restrained title track, but quickly gets edgy on “George Russell”.

“Prayer” begins as a quiet rhapsody for piano and morphs into a meaty set of funky tunes.

Pasqua likes a growling, electric Fender Rhodes sound over lots of laid back grooving.

Much of The Antisocial Club has a hard, driving ensemble feel that you’ll love if you’re into modern quintets. Trumpet and sax are out front, frequently doubled, with twisty, harmonic melodies. Tasteful use of electronica in solos and breaks is a really nice contrast to the rhythmic beats.

The album closes with “Message to Beloved Souls Departed”, a reflective, muted ostinato with simple, rich harmonies; possibly for Michael Brecker who passed away last year.