There are some albums that give themselves an eternal spot in your rotation upon first listen. Albums that tap into a distinct musical essence so invigorating that they form a concrete part of your mind’s musical framework. David Myles’ surprise jazz-funk hit That Tall Distance is just such an album, and as evidenced on the two lead singles off of the album, Myles’ foray into vibrant new genres is an extremely rewarding exploration.
That Tall Distance is an instrumental collection that primarily focuses on the retro vibrancy of Myles’ youth, but also blends the artist’s traditional folk and roots vibes into the mix. Within it, you’ll find classic tones of Myles’ repertoire alongside the primary voice of fusion, surrounded by shades of groovy jazz, mellow funk, and ’70s rock and pop. Think Quincy Jones leading an acid-jazz troupe with Tommy Guerrero as a star feature, or Armando Trovajoli composing the soundtrack for a new installment of iconic heist anime Lupin III.
This album may come as a surprise to some longtime listeners of Myles, but the man is clearly no stranger to these styles. “You have to understand, I grew up obsessed with jazz, playing trumpet in high school stage band, and the works,” the musician states. His lifelong infatuation with instrumental and big-band, as well as these distinct throwback styles, are a part of his musical foundations. It’s as much a retrospective of his own influences as it is on the genre at large.
Every element of the compositions and recordings feel precise and intentional, an incredibly tight-yet-free unit. Joshua Van Tassel‘s percussion and Dean Drouillard’s bass maintain an endless groove that rises and falls to the beat of their explorations. Leith Fleming-Smith is mesmerizingly captivating on the keys and Asa Brosius gives chilled out surf-guitar flavour to the album at large and a distinct dreaminess to the folksier affairs on pedal steel and dobro. Truly though, the soul of this album would not be there without the brass, and Andrew Jackson’s trombone is the perfect match for Myles at the head of things with his spirited, transportive voice through his trumpet.
Endlessly danceable numbers can be found on That Tall Distance– “Plank” treads the line closest to rock’n’roll with a jazzy indie twist to its tone, “Silver World” conjuring images of pastel chase scenes in European streets. “Birch Lane” sits somewhere nicely between the energy of the retro-inspired shape and the folk-rooted tone, and “New 80” shows off the laid-back side of this expertly fused style, slowing down the rhythm as the solos are given a chance to shine in the haze- highlighting the strength of all these musicians that were “a dream to get to make this with” for Myles.
But while the entire shape of the album is a memorable collection awash with colours, the stand-out track truly has to be opener and lead-single “Bird Song.” We hear the heartbeat of the album put forth immediately, from the dizzyingly charming guitar work to the magical keys to the in-the-pocket horn line, “Bird Song” captures the mood the album strides with so perfectly, and it’s hard not to jump and go for a technicolour walk through the city listening to grooves this grinning.
David Myles has pulled out a show-stopper with That Tall Distance. Sliding right out of his usual stomping grounds and into vivid new territory, he sounds right at home. There’s not only a skill but a bravery to position a new work in such a different sonic space. But without any doubt, Myles has succeeded in channelling the jazz-funk energy he clearly loves, putting a whole new set of colours in his palette, and has proven himself yet again as one of Halifax’s strongest musicians.