December 3, 2019
The Rust Music
Hurling through stereo space and time, the 5AM project has fused a myriad of collaborative forces into a space-aged ensemble. He has brought to full fruition a vision of electronic music that pulls from the expansive arrangement styles of jazz and jam, and was borne from the stage as much as the studio. The addition of fellow Philadelphians ZONE Drum's dynamic percussion and Tygris' combination of electronic production, bass guitar, and turntablism has brought 5AM's music into fresh, improvisational territory. Over a year of trio appearances across the country and countless hours spent practicing and workshopping the tunes have forged this combined musical might into a fierce, producer-driven, multi-instrumental act, and this synergy has produced a lush, organic set of tunes; the Triovision EP. The hi-fi production and fluid composition across Triovision are in line with 5AM's conventional output, but the addition of Tygris and ZONE Drums on the record itself amounts to far more than just a touch of extra spice. Brazen cuts, organic fills, and instrumental synchronicity breathe a whole new life into 5AM's patented blend of soul, jazz, and sheer bass weight. The added complement of Maya Elise's vocal work and call-and-response guitar licks from Keith Wadsworth of Wax Future spread a lasting blanket of emotion across the record, accenting the concise production with succinct musicianship. Each track complements the greater whole of Triovision, gradually building on tempo, tension, and arrangement. It's the typified journey through sound, brought to life through rounded edges, sultry chord progressions, and precision engineering. As an instrumentalist, 5AM's chops have never been shone so brilliantly, and as a composer, Triovision is a well-rounded re-interpretation of his signature sonic adventures.