The Long And Short Of It

Opener 'Phases' launches on the radical wisdom of the album's sole vocal feature, courtesy of renowned poet and activist, Sharrif Simmons, who contributes a psyche- delic poem spanning cosmic existentialism - something he wrote off the cuff during a session. As the fiery spoken word unfolds, a frenzy of drum grooves from Micah Hummel and strings from Elliot Cleverdon rise higher into the mix, all setting the stage for Jonson's debut at the mic and keys. The back half of 'Phases' shifts into a hypnotic instrumental, the drums interlocking on guitar lines, pausing for a spacious break before reassembling twice as potent, riding into a blissful, cathartic saxophone solo by Haily Naiswanger.