Coming via Toronto-based bassist and composer Alex Lakusta, the album Island Ghosts stirs in capturing “an abstract love story without words.” Leading a six-piece ensemble, Lakusta blends melodic basslines with cinematic brass and atmospheric keys, resulting in often majestic and climactic productions. The record balances jazz precision with sweeping instrumental unveilings. Joining Lakusta are Keagan Eskritt (drums, cymbals), Patrick Smith (tenor saxophone), Christian Antonacci (trumpet/flugelhorn), Josh Smiley (synthesizer, keyboards, piano, organ), and Patrick O’Reilly (guitar/baritone guitar).
The opening track quickly showcases Lakusta’s ability to craft immersive soundscapes. Warming brass coexists with spacey synth pads, moving with a hypnotic glow into more prominent percussive pulses and elegant piano. This transportive soundscapes leads seamlessly into “Beat Mullet,” where flickers of synths move into a riveting, crawling bass line. The brass work attains a more expressive fervor by midpoint, fondly reminiscent of Flying Lotus in its mesmerizing atmosphere. The track consumes in its mixture of throbbing momentum and culminating brassy allure.
“Moments Ago” is another standout track, enthralling with a late-night array of mystique-filled electronics and lounge-friendly brass sophistication. The production here succeeds with an introspective pull, relative to the more energetic disposition of a track like “Beat Mullet.” “Moments Ago” utterly delights in its blend of brisk bass and heartrending orchestration, showcasing Lakusta as capable of both dreamy and energetic productions. The two-part title track finale caps the release off in exceptional form, with the first part’s roaring guitar and solemn organ interplay being especially impactful. Island Ghosts is a deeply atmospheric, melodic showcase from Alex Lakusta.
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“Beat Mullet” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
