Charnett Moffett's 2013 album,
Spirit of Sound, is an atmospheric, exotic, and often hypnotic set of songs showcasing his virtuoso skills as a bassist. Although not a solo bass album like his other 2013 release, Bridge: Solo Bass Works,
Spirit of Sound is a highly bass-centric album with many of the songs built around
Moffett's serpentine basslines. In the liner notes, the album is described as having been designed as a sonic journey for the listener and that is quite an apt concept.
Moffett sets the tone for this journey with his solo opening cut, "Bassland," which features him improvising on an expansive Indian raga and free jazz-leaning motif. The Eastern influence is carried throughout
Spirit of Sound, which means that, as a whole, the album leans toward a jazz meets world fusion vibe. Joining
Moffett here is a stellar cast of equally accomplished and adventurous musicians, including his son, drummer Charnett "Max" Moffett, pianist
Marc Cary, percussionist
Babatunde Lea, and reed player
Oran Etkin, as well as
Moffett's wife, actress Angela Moffett, who supplies several spoken word segments set to music. Also featured is
Moffett's daughter, vocalist Amareia Moffett, on the haunting, Asian-influenced "Opera." In some ways, the album brings to mind the similarly exploratory and Eastern-influenced '70s albums of pocket trumpeter
Don Cherry, albeit with a more contemporary jazz sheen to the production. Ultimately, as the title implies,
Spirit of Sound is a soulful, deeply personal, and highly engaging album. ~ Matt Collar