The Comet is Coming – Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery Impulse! (2019)

I miss those days when I would walk into a record store and scan the wall of new releases. Sometimes looking for nothing more than a sleeve that grabs my eye. That one cover that jumps at me, with no or limited knowledge of the music or musicians within those grooves. The art of album cover design was somewhat lost in the CD era. Nevertheless, I always considered the artwork related to a piece of music as an important part of the journey an album takes us on. An indication of the treasures we are (hopefully) about to discover.  

The first thing that hits you about the cover art of The Comet is Coming‘s newest release is the futuristic explosion of color and design, that mixes originality and a slightly retro use of space and detachment which vaguely reminds of the legendary Hipgnosis studio. It’s the first indication that you are about to experience a blurring of the lines on multiple levels.

These aren’t Jazz purists. Using the clash of spiritual Jazz, Space-rock and Electronica as a starting point, there is at least as much Hawkwind in here as Coltrane. The goal here isn’t to simply mix genres for the sake of getting attention. Instead, it’s about using the musical colors needed to take the music someplace into a new. We already have enough celebration of the past throughout culture.

The music is impactful, human, and progressive in the best sense. And while the horns and abstract rhythms are clearly designed to satisfy your soul, the album is not without dissident passages. The most intriguing aspect is its multiple textures of sound and color. Beautiful to behold, calm and peaceful one moment. Only to give way to the storms life has to offer the next. The Comet is Coming are using sound textures that seem to progress alone on multiple stages. Feeling both spiritual and human without the seeming contradictions. It’s also the reason that this abstract and complex music never sounds forced or unneccessarily difficult. Each instrument falling together while still pursuing their own path within the context of each track.

This is music that requires your attention if you are going on the full exploration. Demanding that you use two important personal attributes simultaneously – your intellect and your emotions. Once married together, the music unfolds. This is a passionate and meditative album that avoids the outright confrontation of some of the more discordant free or spiritual Jazz. Instead, the music takes a dazzling psychedelic journey which will grow more intense with each trip.  

by Shawn Ciavattone