Motion II Out Of-Into, Joel Ross, Gerald Clayton, Kendrick Scott, Matt Brewer, Immanuel Wilkins

• 1 Brothers In Arms 07:52
• 2 Finding Ways 04:40
• 3 Juno 08:07
• 4 Familiar Route 04:34
• 5 The Catalyst 07:06
• 6 Nacho Supreme 07:13
• Total Runtime 39:32

Info for Motion II

Motion II by Out Of/Into featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The all-star collective—which was initially founded as the Blue Note Quintet in celebration of the label’s 85th anniversary—is a profound embodiment of the label’s ethos, presenting state-of-the-art music and musicians while also honoring Blue Note’s rich legacy. Or as Ross puts it, “The way the collective keeps the Blue Note legacy going is by unapologetically being true to ourselves.”

The follow-up to the band’s acclaimed 2024 debut Motion I is a 2nd album of music drawn from the inspired recording sessions that took place in the midst of the group’s anniversary tour.

Each composition was thoroughly explored and developed during nearly 40 live engagements at some of the nation’s finest concert halls. “With such a long time on the road, it was really nice to reach as far as possible,” says Wilkins. Adds Clayton, “We pushed one another to reach further and dig deeper night after night. Over the course of two months, the music expanded in all directions. Things grew both tighter and looser. So much talent and creativity was on that bandstand.”

The release of Motion I was met with wide critical acclaim with DownBeat praising how the “quintet explores new dimensions of post-bop, sumptuous melodies, muscular improvisation and dynamic musicality.” MOJO raved that “this soulful five-way marries Gerald Clayton’s vivid, painterly piano with Immanuel Wilkins’ malleable alto sax and vibraphonist Joel Ross’s heady melodicism, its internal poetry enhanced by Kendrick Scott’s sophisticated drums and Matt Brewer’s intricate bass. They move freely around each other, tracing story arcs with breadth and grace.”

Gerald Clayton, piano
Immanuel Wilkins, alto saxophone
Joel Ross, vibraphone
Matt Brewer, bass
Kendrick Scott, drums

Out Of/Into
Simply put, Out Of/Into comprises five of the most important voices of their generation in jazz. The band also represents the latest evolution of one of Blue Note’s most enduring traditions. Over the years, the label has assembled a series of all-star bands overflowing with game-changing ability, including Out of the Blue, Superblue, New Directions, the Blue Note 7, and the Blue Note All-Stars. The players these groups empowered, some of them at the outset of their historic careers, is nothing short of a who’s who of jazz’s last half-century: Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Renee Rosnes, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, Stefon Harris, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Charlap, Robert Glasper, Lionel Loueke, Ambrose Akinmusire, and so many other greats. Somehow, each of these groups encapsulated their specific Blue Note period while also proving that the label’s “golden age” isn’t a single epoch at all. Rather, it’s a continuum of excellence and newness that is forever pushing onward.

Out Of/Into
the all-star collective that began its life earlier this year as the Blue Note Quintet in celebration of the label’s 85th anniversary, is a profound embodiment of the label’s ethos, presenting state-of-the-art music and musicians while also honoring Blue Note’s impossibly rich legacy. Or as the group’s vibraphonist, Joel Ross, puts it, “The way the collective keeps the Blue Note legacy going is by unapologetically being true to ourselves.”

Even the group’s name speaks to this concept of moving ever forward while remaining reverent of the masters who’ve come before. “‘Out Of/Into’ reflects the evolution of the Blue Note story, and of our sound,” says drummer Kendrick Scott.

In fact, Out Of/Into—which also features pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, and bassist Matt Brewer—represents the latest evolution of one of Blue Note’s most enduring traditions. Over the years, the label has assembled a series of all-star bands overflowing with game-changing ability, including Out of the Blue, Superblue, New Directions, the Blue Note 7, and the Blue Note All-Stars. The players these groups empowered, some of them at the outset of their historic careers, is nothing short of a who’s who of jazz’s last half-century: Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Renee Rosnes, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, Ravi Coltrane, Bill Charlap, Robert Glasper, Lionel Loueke, Ambrose Akinmusire, and so many other greats. Somehow, each of these groups encapsulated their specific Blue Note period while also proving that the label’s “golden age” isn’t a single epoch at all. Rather, it’s a continuum of excellence and newness that is forever pushing onward.

This album contains no booklet.