Now Hear This: Cygnus X-1 (single) - Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT

Rating: **** 1/2

Hailing from the red hot desert of Phoenix, AZ, the Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT brings us what promises to be a tsunami of interesting and experimental jazz sounds for this 14-minute and some change single/EP titled "Cygnus X-1".

As a longtime Sun Ra fan, I always get excited to see a newer, what-seems-to-be weird-sounding jazz project. People just aren't making weird jazz anymore. It's a shame because nothing goes with 3:32 am insomnia trip quite like weird jazz.

I'm going to wait a few hours until it's quite late out here on the west coast, and then I'm gonna put this in my headphones and give it the listen it deserves at the time that I think will best fit it. I'm gonna report back after the jump.

Watch video for "Cygnus X-1" on YouTube below:

Jeff Novotny certainly knows how to create a mood.

This is a sprawling, nearly 15-minute opus dedicated to making noise seem darkly melodic. For the most part, it's a rousing success. Aside from some squeaky moments that make your ears know they are still functioning here and there, this is dark, atmospheric, experimental jazz done in a modern way and it makes you feel it. Don't get me wrong, this isn't gonna be for everybody. It creates a degree of tension that largely goes unresolved, but for me, this is exactly what I'm looking for in this kind of music. It's haunting and exciting and I imagine I'll be showing it to my friends over late-night cocktails for about a month or so.

"Cygnus X-1" is one of my favorite jazz singles in quite some time. It keeps your ears guessing while still keeping the melody in the forefront of it's inner workings. I wouldn't say it's easy to listen to, in fact at times it's challenging. But if you can stay in the battle, I find it quite rewarding. Very highly recommended.