The first two songs uploaded by this D.C.-via-Philadelphia duo, complemented by the caressing voice of Howard jazz student Sarai Abdul-Malik, made for an emphatic statement of intent. Restrained yet imaginative covers of
Little Dragon's "Stormy Weather" and
George Duke's "Feel," cast in soft radiance, affirmed kinship with sounds new, old, electronic, and analog. On this modest EP, the trio steps forward with a brief set of originals. At once, they suggest a late-'70s project nurtured by Don Mizell or Larry Dunn and ideal touring partners for
the Foreign Exchange and
Robert Glasper Experiment. They put a modern, slightly left-of-center spin on smooth soul and crossover jazz that can be slotted into daytime and quiet storm radio programming. There are no true standouts. Each one of the four full-blown songs, joined by an intro, outro, and interlude, calms and uplifts with energy levels that vary only slightly. The quality control remains static, but the central "In the Glow" might be the exemplary cut with its impeccable measured layering of soft-knocking drums, melodic bass, electric piano, high-pitch synthesizer, and Abdul-Malik's poetic, spiritually minded vocal. This debut is designed less for instant, fleeting thrills -- more so for repeated blissful plays that lead to complete memorization. ~ Andy Kellman