Number 95 - III by BADBADNOTGOOD

                  Number 95: III by BADBADNOTGOOD

 Jazz fusion fused like no other

 

Release: May 6th, 2014
Genre: Jazz
Favorite Tracks: Can't Leave the Night, Hedron, Confessions 

 

Where I heard it: 

My love and appreciation for jazz music I owe entirely to my time in high school band. In fact, before high school, jazz was always a part of the punchline to me (I wonder where I could have gotten that impression from) and never took it seriously. I never had the schedule open for jazz band, but their seasonal concerts would blow me away with their captivating performances year after year. Eventually, I was listening to jazz in the car with friends (shoutout KUVO/KVJZ!) and discovering an entire genre with decades worth of material to choose from. I actually first heard BADBADNOTGOOD on the radio in late winter of 2016 out on a night drive while Hedron rumbled through the speaker system. Hedron would be a regular song in my rotation for years after until I finally listened to BADBADNOTGOOD's aptly named third album III, and I was even more impressed with what I heard.

"III's hazy, after-hours vibe is infectious, and these songs reveal fresh nuance with repeat listens."
~ Exclaim Magazine

 

What to expect:

Before you develop any sort of expectations, this album is entirely instrumental. However, the instrumental lineup is so engaging and story-driven in itself, you often forget the fact there aren't any vocals. Instead, three core musicians along with several guest features peppered throughout the album create some of the most compelling jazz tunes that I've heard. BADBADNOTGOOD began their careers making instrumental covers of songs by underground hip-hop artists like MF DOOM, Waka Flocka Flame, and Tyler, the Creator. III is the first album from the jazz trio consisting of all original compositions, and their hip-hop background resonates strongly with every instrument. Make no mistake though: there are plenty of songs that would pass in the most bourgeois of jazz clubs. I find III most interesting when these two concepts are flawlessly integrated as if destined for each other, showing attention to detail in every note to ensure the harmony of the collaboration remains intact. While this musical mix comprises the core of III, it manages to maintain enough mystery that a sudden shift in tone comes as a delightful addition rather than an abrupt interjection. The wealth of theory knowledge among the band equates directly towards the impeccable synchronicity this studio recording displays across every track, no matter what's played!

"III is an album so methodically arranged 
yet lawless at times that even its more flatlined moments
play an integral role to its rebellion"

~ CMJ New Music Report

  

Why it's my favorite: 

I found that through the majority of III, I found myself torn on whether or not to define it as a jazz album or a hip-hop album. There are songs on the album that unequivocally plead the case in favor of both, but I would consider this album to lean slightly more toward jazz. In that respect, I think my difficulty in distinguishing this album as one or the other is an example of what makes it so great. BADBADNOTGOOD are breaking ground by reorienting jazz with this new, mordern-age sound that we've come to love in hip-hop, but maybe never fully appreciated. III reimagines the best of these concepts while still paying homage to the fundamentals through the band's own faithful interpretations. I love all of BADBADNOTGOOD's music, but something about the heavy jazz influence of III makes me come back to it time and time again. I'd recommend this album for its more modern and perhaps familiar atmosphere to anyone wanting to break into jazz music!