Won World

A Drum N Bass Gem!

     

Isaiah Stewart's WON WORLD is a rare gem in the world of music. It's not so much an album but a work of art, lovingly crafted, flawlessly mastered, and polished to a perfect shine.

Hardcore rave fans are best warned to stay away; this isn't just a dance album, really. Stewart, a drummer who made his name with his own melodic style of groovy jazz-funk music, abandons the furious pace of the rave dance floor in favor of a jazz-like sensibility. Upbeat, but not hard. Complex layering, yet remarkably accessible melodies that you just can't help but tap your foot to. Nimble, but not really fast. Slick, but remarkably natural and acoustic sounding.

Instead, it's an endlessly listenable odyssey, a seamless blend of moody, dark jazz, lush chords, jungle breakbeats, and a whole lot of electronic flourishes. Stewart's ability to craft amazing jazzy drum n bass slithers throughout the album, subtly moving in and out and keeping the sound fresh.

It's an incredibly classy act; the music seems the perfect fit for a prestigious penthouse party, a gloriously lit urban skyrise of Manhattan or Chicago at night in the background, lights low, fine drinks all around. WON WORLD is a dreamy, sensuous collection of grooves, beats, and trumpet & saxophone tones that grow richer and more tasteful with each listening.

Few traditional jazz artists can break successfully into this kind of ground, and Stewart does it masterfully in this work. Undeniably his most original and finest hour.