Efajemue - Cycling Review
Not many drummers take matters into their own hands, generally preferring to sit behind the kit on other artists' or band projects rather than lead their own ensembles; I'm not sure why? Los Angeles-based Efa Etoroma, Jr. aka Efajemue is not just backstage wallpaper though; as well as being a drummer for hire, he's been doing his thing and leading from the front for the last decade, releasing a whole host of live, hip-hop-nodding jams, jazz fusions and cultured nu-soul. If that wasn't enough, he's also an educator and writer; some people just need less sleep.
Well, he's got a new album coming out in November entitled Flow, and whilst details are thin on the ground, early indications are that he's been calling in the favours from some of L.A.'s talent pool: the somewhat robotically named J3P0 on keys, and Francisco Ojeda on electric bass in particular for 'Cycling', and I have to say the trio play well together.
Efajemue gets the ball rolling with the sort of effortless rhythm that only someone who's been practising for decades can muster; Ojeda wastes no time using his bass powers for good and cementing the groove with a deep, astral funkiness. Pollack immediately gets in on the act too, wrapping the groove up in deep, warm pads before sprinkling the vibe with some playful cosmic keyboard dust, and off they go. Synergy is the name of the game here, the three intertwining to great effect, with Efajemue allowing himself a few flourishes, including a serious breakdown, to highlight his obvious prowess - it is his baby after all. It appears that cosmic jazz funk is alive and well on the West Coast. Now, for that album.
For more deep jazz fusion sounds check out Takuro Okada's Konoma album from earlier in the year, it's a modern Japanese jazz gem.
Playlist Companion
Find Efajemue in the Slow Jazz Playlist.
