Pianist
Kenny Werner's
Lawn Chair Society is a cerebral mix of acoustic jazz, electronic elements and generally expansive improvisation that comes and goes in terrifically unexpected directions. Inspired by a varied mix of artists from
Radiohead to
In a Silent Way-era
Miles Davis,
Werner has crafted a forward-thinking album that stands uniquely alone from other similarly minded electro-acoustic jazz projects. In fact, while
Werner does reference funky, '70s fusion on
Lawn Chair Society -- especially in the
James Brown-inspired "New Amsterdam" -- this is by no means a funk album. More often than not,
Werner creates clinical, often random-sounding electronic soundscapes which he weaves together with improvisations by his stellar sideman. Similarly engaging though are his more melodic and lush moments like the poignant ballad "Uncovered Heart" written after the birth of his daughter.
Werner had decided to include the song on the album when his daughter died tragically in a car wreck at the age of 16 in 2006. Her death and
Werner's subsequent journey of grief underscores much of what is on
Lawn Chair Society. Interestingly, while there are truly sad, meditative songs here like the sweeping and darkly orchestral "Loss," other moments like "west_coast_variant," while robotic and brittle, are nonetheless playful and lively in tone and feature stellar improvisations by
Werner's cohorts. Backing
Werner here are a who's who of modern jazz artists including trumpeter
Dave Douglas, tenor saxophonist
Chris Potter, bassist
Scott Colley and drummer
Brian Blade. Thought-provoking, challenging, heartbreaking and truly inspired,
Lawn Chair Society is quite simply
Werner's masterpiece. ~ Matt Collar