Cindy Blackman Santana – Coherence
“Coherence” is the ninth album by American drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. It is the follow-up to “Give The Drummer Some” from 2020. A record that stood out for its versatility with elements of pop, rock, old-school funk and jazz. Blackman Santana is of course known for her work with Lenny Kravitz and her husband Carlos Santana’s band. On “Coherence”, Cindy returns to the electric sound of the albums “Another Lifetime” (2010) and “Spectrum Road” (2012). Albums on which she honours her great inspiration Tony Williams. His influence can also be heard on “Coherence”. Because, just like Williams, Cindy displays fiery, almost aggressive drumming with a polyrhythmic style, effortlessly switching between acoustic jazz and hard-edged rock.
On “Coherence”, the virtuosic drummer is accompanied by an excellent band consisting of guitarist Aurelien Budynek, bassist Felix Pastorius (son of legendary Jaco Pastorius), pianist Zaccai Curtis and saxophonist Emilio Modeste. With this ensemble, she creates an ode to classic jazz rock/fusion. Miles Davis, Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra are some of the references that emerge when listening to “Coherence”. Although her voice can be heard during two short spiritual interludes that introduce and close the title track, the percussionist does not sing this time as she did on “Give The Drummer Some”. In the title track, the leading role is given to husband Carlos, who at the age of 79 still sounds inspired, with guitar playing featuring plenty of wah effect, while Pastorius delivers rumbling bass lines underneath.
Carlos’s guest role is not limited to a single track. The renowned guitarist can be heard no fewer than six times on “Coherence”, including on the bluesy “Guitar Love” with his friend John McLaughlin, with whom he recorded the spiritual album “Love Devotion Surrender” in 1973. Carlos’s intensive presence is also not entirely coincidental, given his great fascination with jazz rock/fusion and its heroes. But although Carlos’s parts are strong, his distinctive guitar playing is distracting. You are subtly sent into the Santana universe. And with that, you are taken out of the zone that Cindy and her band create. Because of that confusion, 80 minutes, divided over 17 tracks, becomes quite a trip. And then “Coherence” suddenly is not so coherent. The music with Carlos is good, but deserves a place on a separate album. Cindy’s fantastic musicians give enough colour to the tracks on “Coherence”.
That observation aside, “Coherence” is a pleasant listening experience with quite a few adventurous tracks that at times sound more convincing than the otherwise fine predecessor “Give The Drummer Some”. The groove is also never far away. “Coherence” does justice to jazz rock in its heyday. Cindy is clearly like a fish in water. The spirits of Miles, Williams, Coltrane, Shorter and Zawinul live on in “Coherence”. You can see them nodding approvingly from their clouds. And that is a nice bonus. (8/10) (Mack Avenue Records)
