Saxophonist Jon Raskin is a restlessly innovative artist. From his work with the Rova Saxophone Quartet to his graphical scores, Raskin has built a uniquely brilliant body of work. Fellow Sacramento native, percussionist Jon Bafus, also has an idiosyncratic style that perfectly complements Raskin’s. Ultimately, It's Everything, the pair’s second duo release, consists of eight vibrant, abstract pieces that brim with spontaneity.
On “Small Events,” Bafus’ sparse beats and Raskin’s brief cluster of notes build a mystical atmosphere. Raskin plays haunting melodic fragments while Bafus adds evocative chimes and clattering sounds, creating an ethereal soundscape. The ebb and flow of crystalline rhythms and angular lines results in delightful tension.
The cinematic “Ants” that follows features Raskin’s soulful growling baritone saxophone, weaving a bluesy melody over Bafus’ swaggering cadence. The warm, passionate duet is at once provocative and mellifluous. Hints of eastern influences pepper the improvisation before it embraces thrilling dissonance with controlled abandon. This seamless transition is a natural evolution of the music, resulting in a thematically unified, captivating tune.
Elsewhere, “Gravel Path” is equally vivid, with Bafus’ percolating polyrhythms providing an energetic backdrop for Raskin’s lyrical musings. The simmering conversation builds momentum into an absorbing, complex poetic dialogue. The repeating motifs change with each refrain, maintaining a cohesiveness yet remaining refreshingly inventive.
The somber “Aggregte Brush” starts with a pastoral ambience. Bafus makes his instruments darkly rustle and rumble while Raskin weaves a haunting extemporization on his sopranino saxophone. He then lets loose an eloquent solo, a mix of plaintive tones and fiery phrases, while Bafus’s muscular percussion endows the track with a primal spirituality. This incandescent, dynamic performance makes an apt conclusion to this stimulating album.
With Bafus’ elegant artwork gracing its cover, Ultimately, It's Everything is a fascinating and poignant recording that engrosses from the very first bar to the last. It is a perfect example of synergistic creativity and ingenuity. It is a major highlight in Raskin’s and Bafus’ uniformly superb discography.
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