Review: What is "human nature"? Tokyo jazz trio Soundtype attempt to answer this near-impossible question on their expansive new album, serving an intentional crossing between genres, styles, and ultimately, interpersonal, intra-specific, human differences. Aiming for a sound that "transcends all boundaries", the implication is that human nature is itself an ultimately permeable concept. That, however, doesn't prevent the band defaulting to certain styles, which range from downbeat nu-jazz to clarinetting jungle to hip-hop via gospel. Remarkably clear, with crystalline production, the record shifts through talent-flaunting jazz and hip pop tidbits, culminating on a wonky, gaslamp-lit title track upon which singer Kotetsu and fellow jazzist Yota Miyazato pair up for a culminate, fulminatory Michael Jackson cover.
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