In 2012, guitarist
Pat Metheny won a Grammy for his album
Unity Band. That album featured his then newly formed group featuring saxophonist
Chris Potter, bassist
Ben Williams, and drummer
Antonio Sanchez. A year later, the Unity Group returned with
Kin <-->, which found
Metheny expanding the ensemble to include multi-instrumentalist
Giulio Carmassi. Arriving in 2016,
The Unity Sessions showcases that expanded version of the Unity Group live in a gorgeously produced one-off performance at New York's Black Box Theatre on the heels of their 2014 tour. Hoping to capture the synergy and collective dynamic forged over the yearlong tour,
Metheny had the Unity Group set up at the Black Box just as they would for a live show. He then had the concert recorded and filmed, resulting in a unique document that is both studio recording and live performance. Here, we get cuts off both
Unity Band and
Kin <-->, as well as songs culled from
Metheny's lengthy career. These run the gamut from acoustic classical pieces ("Adagia") to moody, groove-oriented modal fusion cuts ("Roofdogs") to atmospheric world music-inflected numbers ("Come and See") and more. Elsewhere, the ensemble summons a palpable warmth on the ruminative ballad "This Belongs to You," combines
John Coltrane-esque spirituality and African rhythms on "On Day One," and dives headlong into the expansive flamenco-steeped anthem "Rise Up." They even make room for a sprightly duo version of the jazz standard "Cherokee," featuring lively interplay between
Metheny and
Potter. Ultimately, while
Metheny is the undisputed leader here, it's the thoughtful interplay of all the Unity Group's members that makes these sessions so involving. ~ Matt Collar