Nu Soul Zodiac

Editor's Info:
The Gold Sparkle Band hit New York fully-formed in 1998, and Nu*Soul Zodiac, their third album, documents their breakthrough. Blurring the line between composition and improvisation, GSB move seamlessly from dirges saturated with Messiaen-ic color to full-throttle free playing. The band has a near-telepathic interplay that comes from years of fellowship, multi-reedist Charles Waters and trumpeter Roger Ruzow arc solos across the sky, rising on currents generated by the energy of Adam Roberts' eloquent, muscular bass and Andrew Barker's flood of rhythms.