Anti-Elevator Mission - Ups and Downs (2017) Lossless

Anti-Elevator Mission was formed by bassist Danny Zanker for two specific reasons: first, to give him an outlet to play his compositions the way he had always envisioned them, and second, to create music that is as rewarding to listen to as it is to play. This music is intended to bring the best out of the musicians who play it, and asks them to leave no part of themselves behind. The style is basically a mix of straight ahead jazz, Middle Eastern, African, heavy metal, blues and avant garde. It is played by a collection of fearless virtuosos who know how to go on some wild excursions but also how to dig into the emotion and lyricism of the tune at hand. Audiences in New York, Tokyo and several places in between have been awed by this powerful group.

"New York modern jazz up-and-comers Anti-Elevator Mission put a bold first foot forward with their 2007 release Ups and Downs. Fascinating melodic shapes interpreted by a gutsy, confident quartet give hungry listeners plenty to sink their teeth into. Lead by bassist Danny Zanker, Travis Sullivan (alto sax), Eishin Nose (piano), and Yutaka Uchida (drums) maneuver through nine tracks of odd time signatures and edgy harmony. As the band name would imply, this disc tosses a drink in the face of the radio-friendly smooth jazz genre. While the listeners profit from the record's artistic integrity, there's precious little ear candy to be found. Even dedicated fans will probably not find themselves humming AEM melodies while strolling the aisles of their local grocery. What Anti-Elevator Mission lacks in accessibility, they certainly make up for in creative composition and emotive performance. Though well-situated inside the boundaries of modern jazz, Ups and Downs is considerably more listenable than most contemporary releases. Though the sax screams, it never throws a tantrum. Bass and drum grooves take the listener out, but never leave them out. As is common for bass-lead ensembles, Anti-Elevator Mission pushes countless boundaries without ever losing its rhythmic and tonal center. Zanker proves himself a formidable bandleader and creative force on AEM's maiden voyage."