In 2013, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana clinched the Thelonious Monk jazz competition shortly after arriving in the United States from Chile to study at Berklee. Among the judges was Wayne Shorter, one of the most esteemed composers and musical thinkers alive. Over the past decade, Aldana has developed in a manner that would surely make Shorter proud.
Aldana has found a kindred spirit in guitarist and arranger Lage Lund, echoing the dynamic partnership between Shorter and Joe Zawinul in Weather Report. Her tenor saxophone performance has evolved to become more fluid and enigmatic. Initially, she was seen as a dedicated follower of Sonny Rollins, but on her second Blue Note release with a quintet featuring Lund as arranger, co-producer, and guitarist, Aldana is now creating music marked by profound originality.
Aldana’s debut Blue Note album, “12 Stars” (2022), was outstanding, following her impressive 2019 release, “Visions”. Her latest album, “Echoes of the Inner Prophet,” features nearly the same ensemble as “12 Stars,” with Lund on guitar, bassist Pablo Menares, drummer Kush Abadey, and pianist Fabian Almazan replacing Sullivan Fortner. This new release feels more assured and cohesive, akin to a suite of interwoven compositions that envelop the listener in a persistent mood.
In her previous work, Aldana appeared to be exploring Shorter’s techniques and compositional approaches. The homage is more overt in this album (with the title track dedicated to Shorter), yet it avoids mere imitation. Aldana and Lund have crafted themes that are less about conventional melodies with chord changes and more about interlocking sonic “pieces.” These elements include motifs, melodies, rhythmic patterns, or musical textures, with Lund’s electronic sounds playing a crucial role in many compositions.
“Unconscious Whispers” starts with Lund’s pivotal toggling figure that descends with a touch of melancholy, joined by Aldana’s subdued tenor melody. This theme doesn’t follow a typical chorus or bridge but transitions into variations as the band joins in, creating a blend of solutions and particle swirls that intermittently reveal the original theme. Almazan’s solo follows a form not defined by chord changes, transitioning smoothly as Lund’s electronics guide the performance into a new phase.
The final track, “I Know You Know,” employs electronics prominently in its theme, with synthesized tones providing a muted, mysterious orchestral backdrop. This track, more than any other on the album, reflects Shorter’s influence, reminiscent of the synth use in his 1980s and 1990s studio albums and his recent orchestral compositions, which avoid plain harmony and allow multiple instrumental directions.
“I Know” showcases another facet of Shorter’s writing, built on a subtle yet propulsive drum groove by Abadey that supports funky bass lines, propelling solos from Aldana and Lund. “The Solitary Seeker” highlights a similar interplay between melody and bass line, with Almazan’s piano delivering much of the impact and Lund’s guitar providing a Brazilian groove reminiscent of Shorter’s “Native Dancer”. Synth textures and melodic bass counterpoint are skillfully integral to “A Purpose”.
Despite these influences, two standout performances display less obvious homage. “Cone of Silence” is dramatic with a powerful melody, while “The Ritual” is a more conventional floating ballad, yet richly expressive. Aldana’s saxophone tone is airy and fluid, her solo work showcasing a “fretless” quality, bending notes seamlessly and returning to pitch perfectly. Lund’s guitar complements her, an octave apart, like a spectral echo.
Ultimately, the magic of this recording lies not in any single influence but in the collaborative synergy between Aldana and Lund. Both artists exhibit fluency and creative confidence, but the strength of “Echoes of the Inner Prophet” stems from how Lund shapes textures and sonorities around Aldana’s melodic ideas and saxophone style. The interaction and sound crafted by the entire band make this project feel like a singular musical vision rather than just another quintet album.
