"Those who know know. Muriel Grossmann's reputation as a leading practitioner of spiritual jazz that grooves, deeply grooves, has grown steadily with every new recording. From early albums such as 'Quartet' in 2008 to 'Birth of the Mystery' in 2010 to her breakout album 'Golden Rule' in 2018 and her recent 'Devotion' in 2023, Grossmann's music has won accolades from critics and adoration from listeners around the globe. From her recording studio and her own label Dreamlandrecords on the island of Ibiza, through to the distribution of international music labels including RRGEMS in Europe, Jazzman from the UK, and more recently Passerine Records and Third Man Records from the USA, Grossmann's music has won devoted fans the world over. If, however, you are a new listener, you will find with this album that you have come to a place where contemporary spiritual jazz meets happiness. Serious happiness.
In her interview with All About Jazz writer Dave Kaufman, Muriel Grossmann comments on happiness, noting that 'if we ask ourselves when we are happiest, it is surely when we have made somebody happy,' and she goes on to quote the Dalai Lama: 'When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it also helps us to develop inner happiness and peace.'
Listening to the music on 'The Light of the Mind', Grossmann's 16th album as leader, one feels that happiness is the core of this recording. It is happiness achieved through reciprocity, interconnection, devotion, reverence and practice. Grossmann has explained to reviewers of her previous albums the importance of Buddhism in her daily life and the role of meditation and post-meditation practice. The titles of her recent albums and compositions reflect this. Glance through the titles on 'The Light of the Mind' and you will begin to appreciate the connection between Buddhist thought and Grossmann's creation of spiritual jazz.
The opening track 'Pointing Out, Part I' begins with a minute and a half of mood-setting Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ and Moog by keyboardist Abel Boquera before the rest of the quartet joins in. In Buddhist thought, pointing out is an introduction to awareness, an exercise to direct one's understanding towards the nature of mind. When Grossmann's tenor saxophone enters accompanied by Uros Stamenkovic's softly rolling drums and cymbals and Radomir Milojkovic's quiet guitar, the listener is invited to join them in contemplation and preparation for the numbers to come. The title track which follows immediately enters into a groove with Grossmann again on tenor driving the number through a searing 4 minute solo, handing over to Milojkovic whose intricate, sinuous guitar line is followed by Boquera soloing on Hammond and the entire 12 minute experience held together by Stamenkovic's snapping and sparkling drum work. The closing number on Side I, 'Unison Unveiled' is this rare psychedelic R'n'B gem straight from the 1967 summer of love, with Grossmann playing through on soprano sax and edging towards ecstasy. Who said spiritual jazz can't dance?
The first number on Side II, 'Ultimate Awareness', begins with haunting bass-end Hammond, light cymbal touches, sparse guitar, harp arpeggios and meditation bell, leading to slow sultry lines of soprano sax, handing over half way through to a compelling and bluesy guitar solo by Milojkovic, followed by a slinky Hammond run by Boquera, with Stamenkovic's restrained and light punctuation throughout, the whole ending with meditation bell and harp fading into silence. Beautiful. Meditation bell is also the first sound on the next track 'Eternal Laughter', with Grossmann entering on flute, then switching to alto saxophone, and Stamenkovic kicking up the pace to dance fever once more. The joy of this number reminds us that laughter has its place in both contemplation and in our togetherness. Our being together in midst of this crazy life.
The album closer 'Pointing Out, Part II' has Grossmann returning to tenor for a slow, meditative solo atop a marching rhythm sustained by drums, guitar and Hammond. The happiness in this number is one of moving together, playing together, listening together, as we contemplate our awareness, our mindfulness, our being here, in this moment, now.
May the music you hear on 'The Light of the Mind' bring you such moments, such happiness." - Michael Jacklin
