An outgrowth of their like-named events at Los Angeles' Lodge Room, the Jazz Is Dead series from and begins with this all-originals showcase for some of the inspirational African-American and Brazilian artists with whom the musician/producers have recorded at the former's neighboring studio. Back in 1989, 's debuted with a single ("Description of a Fool") sampling a classic ("Running Away"), so it's appropriate that this set leads with an collaboration, the slinking "Hey Lover." The saxophone of , another unforgettable source ("Butter" was churned with "Gentle Smiles"), glides and flutters through the whirlwind "Distant Mode," the next number. In those songs and what follows, ably modify their signature sound, rooted in late-'60s and early-'70s modes, to suit and spotlight their guests, all of whom released foundational works during the same period. The inextricably linked are separately featured on consecutive tracks that play to their strengths, though "Apocaliptico" grooves a little harder and nastier than usual for the trio, while "Nao Saia Da Praca" is as delightful as anything off 's 2020 album . Another sequence toward the middle involves keyboardists heard respectively on acoustic piano, electric piano, and organ, partner (presumably also on flute), bossa nova innovator , and soul-jazz leader (whose presence is the biggest surprise). end with a meta title song that, with its group vocal, sounds like it could be the resuscitation of an abandoned project. Even if ended here, the concept would be a triumph. ~ Andy Kellman