Mezzacappa, Lisa & Nightshade – “Cosmic Rift” – [Leo Records]

This is one of those artistic jazz collaborations born when aural artists respond to visual art–Mezzacappa composed much of this music in response to Yehudit Sasportas’ pen and ink piece called “Cosmic Rift.” Mezzacappa’s masterful walking bass, Kjell Nordeson’s shimmering vibraphone, Cory Wright’s clarinet, and John Finkbeiner’s electric guitar work nicely together in a minimal setting that creates maximum enjoyment. As Mezzacappa says, it’s “like we had stepped into a strange little parallel universe together, where sound and texture and melody and form had some interesting new relationship.” Hear for yourself.