Following last year’s ‘All is Sound’ release (featured in The Monday Morning Brew #85), Portland’s The Cosmic Tones Research Trio return on October 3rd with their new self-titled album, via Mississippi Records, solidifying their place in modern spiritual jazz.
Led by the virtuosic saxophonist Roman Norfleet, alongside Harlan Silverman and Kennedy Verrett, the trio crafts layered, transcendent soundscapes that are both meditative and rhythmically compelling. Their lead single, “Sankofa,” released on August 4th, offers a glimpse into the album’s deep improvisational traditions and thoughtful compositions.
The album, recorded in Portland, Oregon, eschews recent trends, instead building on the legacies of past masters with a fresh, forward-reaching perspective. The interplay of alto sax, cello, piano, and an array of percussion creates a sacred energy that is truly captivating. Their music is a warm invitation to engage and to explore a liminal space where sound becomes a form of spiritual inquiry. The Cosmic Tones Research Trio is a must-listen for anyone seeking music that challenges and rewards in equal measure.
The Trio’s sound is deeply rooted in the lineage of spiritual and free jazz masters, calling to mind the likes of Sun Ra, Alice Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders, and their focus on healing, meditation, and ritual also aligns with the work of artists like Laraaji.
You can hear some of their music choices on Music for a Healing Earth, which they host on NTS Radio. Check out their latest healing and restorative sonic transmission here.
The band is also set to make their NYC debut on September 21st at Public Records and will be performing at Woodsist in New York and Le Guess Who? in Europe, among other dates.
Pre-Order the album: https://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-cosmic-tones-research-trio
