Domi and JD Beck – Not Tight
Weekly Review
Going off the cover art of the debut album “Not Tight” by Domi and JD Beck one might be forgiven for mistaking it as the latest Lady Gaga offering or at least some new indie teen pop sensation.
The album’s cover is a far cry from the traditional classic understated Blue Note style. Both figures on the front are sporting clothes that would easily fit into any post mil-lineal’s / Generation Alpha’s / whatever we’re calling the kids these days’ closet. The image is complete with with a hyper stylized distant city and a sky filled with ominous blue smoke.
Zooming in on the hype sticker, a look at the guest musicians on this album only serve to thicken the plot: Anderson .Paak, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Mac DeMarco and Snoop Dogg. Now, I’m intrigued!
Domi and JD Beck are a jazz duo consisting of French keyboardist Domi Louna and American drummer JD Beck. Both have been described as child protégés. They met at the 2018 National Association of Music Merchants Show, and then again a month later at Erykah Badu’s birthday party.
In 2019, they worked backing up Thundercat and Anderson .Paak, and toured with progressive rock band Chon. In 2021, they co-wrote the song “Skate” by the Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars collaboration, Silk Sonic. Not bad for a couple of teenagers.
It is difficult to describe the progressive jazz fusion, EDM influenced sound of “Not Tight,” which is clearly an ironic title considering the uncanny level at which both of these artists lock into a wave of expanding grooves and melodies.
For reference, the recent works of their good friend/ Kendrick Lamar bass player Tundercat’s 2020 album “It Is What It Is” would be a good jumping off point for the smooth progressive palate Domi and Beck draw upon. Thundercat is also the featured vocalist on the infectious track BOWLiNG, perhaps the first jazz song ever writing about… bowling?
Mac DeMarco provides vocals for the dreamy jungleesque TWO SHRIMP, while the most accessible track on the album PiLot features two nice contrasting rap performances by Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes.
We all love our Classic Blue Note Tone-Poet reissues. But “Not Tight” is a nice opportunity to see where Jazz is headed. And from my perspective it sounds pretty damn interesting! -Major Matt
