Photo: Atiba Jefferson
Chicago-raised, Los Angeles-based saxophonist, keyboardist, synthesist, producer and composer Josh Johnson is one of the most daring and versatile figures in contemporary music, both through his own work and as a collaborator. He has been a big part of the sound of Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet, co-leads the all-star ensembles SML and the Openness Trio, and has collaborated extensively with Sam Wilkes and Gregory Uhlmann. As a producer, Johnson is also behind Meshell Ndegeocello’s GRAMMY-winning 2023 album The Omnichord Real Book and Flea’s recent album Honora.
Now he is gearing up to release a new album, following 2024’s Unusual Object and 2020’s Freedom Exercise. Entitled Animative, the new record marks his debut with International Anthem and Nonesuch and arrives on October 23rd, with the streaming release following on November 10th. Across its ten tracks, Animative finds Johnson continuing to explore the space between composition, improvisation and electronics, bringing together skeletal soul-jazz, post-bop, electronic minimalism and dreamy ambience. Produced by Johnson and Paul Bryan, the album features guest contributions from Meshell Ndegeocello, Macie Stewart, Marquis Hill and Ben Lumsdaine, among others. Animate also sees Johnson grow his interest for technology and improvisation, often using his saxophone to control a sampler or drum machine and trigger changes in loops and effects. Despite the sophistication of the setup, Johnson uses technology merely as an instrument, without loosing feeling. “I’m looking to make it feel more human,” he explains, describing an approach that seeks to escape the trap of technical mastery and retain the physical and emotional qualities of performance.
The title of the album is something his friends would never connect with him, considering his reserved nature. “I said the name to a few people, and they were like, ‘Animated is not how I would describe you,’” Johnson says. “But I’m really thinking about it from the perspective of causing animation, giving spirit, or connecting with spirit.”
Ahead of the album’s release, Johnson has shared the gorgeous and mesmerising ‘Reece’, offering a thrilling first taste of the album. Take a listen below.
