A fascinating new album from the Nashville-based Jack Silverman Quartet will be released via Centripetal Force Records on March 1st. Prince of Shadows is the creation of many behind-the-scenes Nashville types who work with artists ranging from The Wood Brothers to Bruce Hornsby to Kenny Rogers.
Jack Silverman’s work over the past few years has been well-documented by Centripetal Force as a solo artist, bandleader, and member of the Nashville Ambient Ensemble. Jack is a tireless artist who’s always eager to experiment, create, and share. Along with Jack, the quartet includes a lineup of wonderfully off-kilter musicians, with Brook Sutton on bass, Robert Crawford on drums, and Matt Glassmeyer on several different instruments. John Mailander plays fiddle on several tracks.
Prince of Shadows was recorded at Studio Nashville by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater-Kinney) and, according to the press release, is what “a David Lynch soundtrack should sound like, a bizarre amalgamation of loopy jazz motifs, playful experimentation, and post-rock tendencies.”
Much of the music will be included on the soundtrack to a forthcoming documentary called Mind Traveler about Andrija Puharich, the parapsychologist who founded a study to prove his belief that children possess untapped psychic powers. After listening to Prince of Shadows, I can attest that the music sounds ever-so-fitting for a spooky subject like this.
This is Jack’s fourth appearance with Centripetal Force. He’s the guitarist on both Nashville Ambient Ensemble albums and had his own Live at the 5 Spot album released by the label in 2021. The seeds of the Jack Silverman Quartet were planted in September 2020 when bassist Brook Sutton invited Jack and drummer Robert Crawford to Brook’s recording studio for an informal jam.
All three were itching to play after several months of no gigs due to the pandemic. When they listened back to the recording sessions, they recognized a unique chemistry they had together, and they were excited to start a project. They stumbled into their own style during rehearsals, instrumental music that straddled many genres but sounded very original.
Over time, the group’s sound evolved, weaving elements of psychedelic music, jazz noir, post-rock textural experimentation, and improvisation. It also explored the contrast between melody and dissonance to create an immersive musical experience. Mike at Centripetal Force describes the music as like “a film soundtrack collaboration between The Lounge Lizards, Pink Floyd, and Angelo Badalamenti.”
Much of the music on Prince of Shadows feels like it could also be the soundtrack to a spy flick, perhaps James Bond with a dash of psychedelia thrown in. The title track is cooler than cool, followed by the sublime jazzy noir of “Faraday Dream.” “Pyramid Scheme” is lounge lizard sounds with a mysterious and evocative feel, while the shorter interlude of “Crisis Apparition” provides a fun psychedelic instrumental experience.
“Transliminal Criminal” is perhaps my favorite track name from the record, featuring similar eerie soundscapes along with some nice electric guitar improvisation. “Phasic Fernwoods” features piano and the same melody of the title track, re-arranged in a pleasing way. “In Case of Emergency” is another slick instrumental that conjures images of international spies and smoky jazz clubs. “Nightfall on the Nile” first of all sounds like the title of a John le Carré novel, and second of all, is an excellent tune.
The record ends with “Break Glass,” which surprisingly rocks pretty hard on an album filled with softer jazz stylings. The electric guitar soloing and improvisation is back on this song, along with other transcendent sounds.
Jack Silverman Quartet’s Prince of Shadows is a super fun and unique record that’ll appeal to jazz fans as well as psych-rock fans. It’s hard to compare the music to anything else because the record has a very original sound but I’d say it’s kind of like a mix between the vibe of Miles Davis’ Birth of The Cool with the more modern instrumental style of a Massive Attack or Stereolab. I could be way off there, so check the record out for yourself and let me know what you think.
Prince of Shadows will be available in a 200-copy vinyl edition and digitally via Centripetal Force Records on March 1st. Get your pre-orders in now, and while you’re at it, check out Jack’s other work with the Nashville Ambient Ensemble on 2023’s Light and Space and 2021’s Cerulean. Enjoy!
Pre-order Prince of Shadows by the Jack Silverman Quartet on Bandcamp here.
Support the Jack Silverman Quartet by finding them on Bandcamp, Jack’s official website, or Instagram.
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