Seattle-based trio AriSawkaDoria has released a spellbinding reimagination of John Coltrane's time-honored classic, "Naima." It will knock you out by blending raw emotion with masterful musicianship; this fresh take is as evocative as it is groundbreaking.
"Naima" opens with an ambient guitar introcycling, leading into a melody that sounds like talking to your heart. Ari Joshua's guitar is tender and audacious, blissfully intermingling with Joe Doria's soulful Hammond B3 grooves. Doria's basslines, glued together by left-foot pedal magic and left-hand finesse, lay down a deep, resonant backbone like the track's heartbeat.
KJ Sawka's drumming sets off the charge. Best known for his work in Pendulum and Destroid, Sawka presents raw, unrefined rhythms that resonate with frenetic energy, lending "Naima" to modern and timeless edges. A palpable chemistry weaves into a sonic tapestry where every note is intentional and every silence profound. "Naima" is an exercise and painstaking craft. The production layers are rich but never heavy, so the spirit of Coltrane's original shines through but gets laced with a tactile modern twist.
AriSawkaDoria doesn't merely perform "Naima"; they redefine it. The solos seem more like guided meditations through a lush sound garden, grounded in jazz tradition yet bold enough to seek new ground. But this "Naima" is way beyond a homage.
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