Record Reviews

AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE ~ HONEY FROM A WINTER STONE NONESUCH 075597905984 (Barcode: 075597905984) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2025 This is an album by American Jazz trumpeter / composer Ambrose AkinmusireFind albums by this artist, recorded with vocalist KokayiFind albums by this artist, pianist Sam HarrisFind albums by this artist, synthesizer player ChiquitamagicFind albums by this artist, drummer Justin BrownFind albums by this artist and the MivosFind albums by this artist string quartet. The album presents five tracks, all composed by Akinmusire, with text by Akinmusire on one track and freestyle texts on four tracks by Kokayi. The final track lasts for almost half an hour. Akinmusire is obviously a gifted trumpet player, but since the moment he arrived on the scene he seems to be searching relentlessly, without deciding which idiom suits his musical desires. Searching is of course a most desirable quality, but when it borders on hectic indecision, the entire process makes the artist to become rather chaotic, in the eyes / ears of his listeners. The ambitious music on this album moves between almost Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion, Jazz-Rap Fusion and minimalistic Jazz. Although seemingly impressive, I find the album boring and repetitive as a whole, although it has its moments. It seems Akinmusire simply tries too hard, rather than settling down and deciding what kind of music suits his ambitions and abilities best? Overall, although I love ambitious and non-trivial music more than anything, it seems that Akinmusire just overstepped his abilities and in his desire to present some truly magnificent music, simply missed his purpose, which results in unnecessary complex, repetitive and eventually somewhat boring outcome.

Updated: 15/09/2026Posted: 15/09/2026

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