Early twenties Joel Ross could already count on positive attention by playing vibes in 2018 on the albums Universal Beings by Makaya McCraven and Flight by James Francies. Now he makes his debut with , the label that has historically used influential jazz vibraphonists such as , and later discovered. The latter two were also tutors for Ross who grew up in Chicago and now lives and works in New
… York. Kingmaker contains an almost unguided abundance of ideas and energy inherent in a debut album. As if Ross wanted to lose all his ideas and influences at the same time in songs that connect classic melodies to complex rhythms and daring improvisations. With a strong tire behind it, this never gets out of hand. Ross learned from Hutcherson to always stay close to himself and his environment when writing. In a case full of family photos, Ross based most of Kingmaker's songs on the loving family he grew up in. That warmth echoes on his accurate first album. (MR)more
