Number 68 - Return of the Black Emperor by Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few

 Number 68: Return of the Black Emperor by Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few

Long live the King

Release: July 13th, 2018
Genre: Jazz
Favorite Tracks: June11th, Return of the Black Emperor, Heath's Groove

 

Where I heard it: 

While music has always been an important part of my life, I never pursued my talents much further than high school band. Luckily, I was able to follow my musical calling vicariously through a handful of friends who continued to study music at the nearby university. Two of my best friends actually lived in the same house a block away from the music hall, an absolute Godsend for eager, up-and-coming musicians. Those few years at the Green Bean from 2018 to 2020 were some of my most potent as far as musical exposure. I was listening to some pretty rhythmically challenging and technically advanced stuff across every genre from djent to jazz. I think a lot of that was absorbed through osmosis from one of my friends at the Green Bean who was experiencing similar musical transgressions. Perhaps due to this link, I was bombarded in his kitchen one autumn night in 2018 with a proclamation: "Dude, you've got to listen to this song, it's crazy!" I was played June11th for the first time, and it was crazy indeed. That wild saxophone hook paired with a frantic tempo was unlike any kind of jazz I'd heard before. I don't think I actually listened to the rest of Return of the Black Emperor until later that year, until I asked the name of the band from my friend to look up on Spotify. They were well buried under the shitty algorithm, but I eventually uncovered a hypnotic jazz odyssey led by Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few.

 

"There is a buzz about Isaiah Collier. Many believe he is the best jazz musician out there today, and at his young age, that is something. He plays with the fire and intensity from start to finish and is a joy to see and hear."
~ NUVO

 

What to expect:

Out of all the artists on my top 100 list, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few by far has the smallest following. Yet, this lack of fervent support isn't indicative of the sheer talent this group possesses. Fronted by the group's namesake, multi-instrumentalist Isaiah Collier grew up with deep musical influence among his entire immediate family. A graduate of the Jazz Institute of Chicago, Collier's instrument specialization was in saxophone, but excelled in arrangement and composition in addition to his astounding performance. All of these qualities are available in their rawest form on Collier's first foray into the recording studio: Return of the Black Emperor. Released at just 19 years old, Collier reflects upon the sounds and emotions of his ancestors before him, recanting their stories and memories through interpretive jazz. With the help of his brother Jerimiah on drums, William Kirk on keyboards, Cesar Martinez on guitar, and long-time bassist James Wenzel, each is delegated a member of Isaiah's chosen few to rule the jazz empire the new king has established. The motif of African-American royalty and history resonate strongly across every track, especially felt in the execution of the group's take on the historic slave song Wade in the Water. While Return of the Black Emperor sets an intimidatingly complex pace on its opener June11th, the majority of the album is much more progressive in nature, utilizing a leisurely softness to contrast with the sections of freestyle solos and blasting saxophone notes. The range of dynamics that each instrument achieves is almost unbelievable at times, specifically Isaiah's spectacular saxophone play, which spans from demonic squeals to gentle puffs. A lack of vocals prioritizes the expressiveness of the instruments, of which each member of the chosen few exhibits their responsibilities with charming solo features across the album. Although a prerequisite for jazz appreciation may be required, Return of the Black Emperor is an album I wouldn't stray away from recommending to anyone who enjoys a curated, theatrical type of production.

"Towards the end of our conversation, Collier showed me an image on his phone...With its intricate lines producing an eerie symmetry, I felt the gravity of Collier’s words on jazz. Mathematics, science, music—glued together through the sheer force of belief. Sonic chemistry, indeed."

~ South Side Weekly

Why it's my favorite: 

Admittedly, it was my initial obsession with avant-garde music that made my attraction to Return of the Black Emperor so immediately emphasized. I probably listened to June11th about 100 times in 2018, dissecting the drum phrases for an attempt at emulating it. Only once I gave the rest of the album a chance did I begin to value it for its full worth. The dramatic undertones embedded in the intros of many of Return of the Black Emperor's tracks including Heath's Groove and the album's eponymous song set the mood for what lies ahead in the drawn out solo sections. Despite this rambling nature, Return of the Black Emperor always knows which direction its headed in, thanks to the master minds of the musicians that create such riveting tales through a wide variety of musical fluctuations. The communication between Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few is effortless among the various phrases and ideas that comprise a typical selection. For a bunch of college graduates, impressive is not enough to describe the undertaking of a composition like Return of the Black Emperor. Isaiah Collier is leagues ahead of his game in the world of jazz music and beyond, having performed with esteemed artists like Chance the Rapper. I hope that Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few garners the recognition they deserve for their contributions to the genre as their reach grows by the day. Until then, I have but my utmost appreciation to show for Return of the Black Emperor.