I’ve struggled to start this post because I felt the urge to somehow start the conversation by getting into the definition of jazz. There’s the general agreement that jazz is characterized by swing rhythms, blues chords, syncopation, and improvisation. And of course, like with any rule, there are debates about the definitions and exceptions so it all quickly gets into an area where my knowledge is much more “arm chair” quality than real expert.
An interesting trend for me though, is that while I’ve been a lover of traditional jazz since my high school band-nerd days, in the last couple decades I’ve been drawn to sounds that blur the boundaries of jazz or mix it’s elements outside the lines. This can be treacherous territory as I feel most things labeled “jazz fusion” trigger a fight or flight response. However, when done with craft and taste (Is this a characteristic of good art? Combining components into something that balances on the knife edge of emotional resonance when it could have instead easily slipped into overwrought, trite, or vapid?) I find the result is music with subdued but powerful energy.
This leads me to The Necks. A trio from Australia that were unknown to me until I stumbled onto their 2023 release while combing Bandcamp last year. I’ve read descriptions of their music that reference ambient, jazz, rock, or even contemporary classical – but usually followed by some version of unclassifiable. Their music is not structured around regular “songs” – instead they perform pieces that are typically 20 – 60 min in length. There’s definitely syncopation, and sometimes dashes of swing, chord complexity, but it’s the improvisation that is central to this music. It seems that each piece starts with a foundation of repeated structure, laid down by one of the three musicians, and from there they organically build a unique collaboration as we listen. Each each piece has a constant threw line that we can hold on to for grounding while the rest of the music pulses out, crashes about, ebbs and flows in unpredictable ways. From this masterful partnership, they generate an energy (like great jazz) that I find mesmerizing.
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