Be It Known marks the long-anticipated debut of bassist and composer Wink Winkelmann—a bold and genre-defying statement from an artist whose musical path has been anything but conventional. After a 15-year hiatus spent studying medicine and practicing dermatologic surgery, the Venice, California–based Winkelmann quietly cultivated his sound as a self-taught composer. His breakthrough moment came with the hauntingly evocative score for the critically-acclaimed film by Duane Hansen Fernandez, “A Place to Fall Down.” Building on that momentum, Winkelmann assembled a powerhouse ensemble of world-class musicians to bring his artistic vision to life. The result is “Be It Known;” a modern spiritual jazz odyssey that draws from sacred tradition while seamlessly weaving together influences of meditation, classical and heavy metal music. The album is not just a testament to transformation, it’s a declaration of creative arrival.
“Cute and Clustered” marks the most sophisticated arrangement of the album. The flute melody begins as an R&B groove and evolves through classical music-like sounds to psychedelic rock with a hair-band guitar solo by Yunus Iyriboz.
The jazz chops of the group begin to shine with “Q-Trip.” What starts as a clear nod to A Tribe Called Quest ultimately alternates between hip-hop and straight-ahead swing. “The abrupt change between genres demonstrates Wink’s immense range of compositional ability, and highlights his belief that all music has room for improvisation,” says producer Duane Hansen Fernandez.
“The Id and The Eno” features the true mastery of MAE.SUN on soprano saxophone. The delicate intensity of her solo bounces off the powerful drums of Nate Smith supported by ostinatos of organ and bowed upright bass. Throughout, slide guitar exists in counterpoint to the saxophone, but its lines remain broken after a torrent of heavy metal guitar.
Vibe Check; Nine; Cute and Clustered; Q-Trip; Cross Elevation; Waltz of the Spirits; The Id and The Eno; Breathe; Intention Span; Ocean Riyad; Nino de Abanica; Midnight Station; Dark Castle; Language of Light.
