AMN Reviews: Mendoza Hoff Revels – Echolocation (2023; AUM Fidelity)

Guitarist Ava Mendoza and drummer Ches Smith were two of the individual artist highlights of Big Ears 2023. Here, they appear together along with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis to work through eight pieces by Mendoza and bassist Devin Hoff. In short, the album is an aggressive statement with no shortage of powerfully-distorted guitar on compositions that incorporate aspects of jazz, blues, rock, and funk.

On a number of tracks, this takes the form of Mendoza and Lewis following a jagged melody that may or may not lead to a free improv blowout. Mendoza’s unrelenting activity and aggressiveness match well with a similar approach from Lewis. Nonetheless, they are able to proceed with delicacy when taking things down.

Hoff’s presence is felt as much as heard, as his looping bass contributions are subtle yet enduring. His short solo on The Stumble provides a showcase, but he remains mostly quiet in the mix. Ironically, his writing results in some of the heavier tracks. Smith is ridiculously busy as always and adds to the overall rawness of the album.

Echolocation gets strangely spacious and more psychedelic as it progresses and Hoff’s role increases. Nonetheless, each track is loosely centered around a set of themes that results in what sounds like it could have been a structured jam session. Indeed, there is a strong organic “live in the studio” vibe with room for a handful of extended solos.

Echolocation comes out on October 13 on the venerable AUM Fidelity label.