Over the years, Peter Daniel has built a reputation as one of Seattle’s most versatile and in-demand saxophonists, a behind-the-scenes creative whose fingerprints can be found across genres, stages and sessions. Whether he’s supporting legends like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Father John Misty during their Pacific Northwest stops, or adding jazz-flecked swagger to sets with ODESZA or Tito Puente Jr., he moves between worlds with fluidity and instantly recognisable tone.
His track record is stacked, but it’s his ongoing sonic exploration that keeps his work feeling new, personal and always based in musical community. Having long contributed his skills to ensembles like 45th St Brass and the genre-blurring FUTURENOT, Peter Daniel has always treated collaboration as a vital pillar of his artistic output.
His latest creative venture, mega cat, a collective whose debut LP recently landed at #2 on KEXP’s charts, signals his continued appetite for experimentation. But it’s with Quartets, his new solo album released via Music Factory Records, that Peter Daniel fully embraces the spotlight, delivering a body of work that reads like a love letter to the community and sounds that have defined his career. Released through Music Factory Records, the independent imprint founded by guitarist and producer Ari Joshua, the album sees Peter stretch out and explore a personal musical world while drawing on collective energy.
Lifted from the LP, the lead single “Come Back Together” captures this ethos in vivid colour, serving up a cinematic cut driven by groove, soul and a sense of return. Daniel enlists an all-star cast of Pacific Northwest talent for the track, including Marina Albero on Fender Rhodes and piano, Joe Doria on Hammond organ and a dream lineup of drummers; Xavier D. Lecouturier, Ehssan Karimi, Heather Thomas, Cliff Porter Jr. and Grant Schroff, all laying down shifting rhythms that give the track its heartbeat.
Guitar work from Andy Coe and RL Heyer brings warmth and intricate lead flickers, while Marina Christopher and Jason Gray alternate on upright and electric bass. It’s a track that manages to sound both intricately arranged and joyfully spontaneous, carried by Peter’s sax lines that glide through the arrangement at once searching and celebratory. Set up by the lively flutter of airy organ tones, both stretched notes and bouncy dashes, the rustle of drums and intricate guitar tones form the backdrop as Peter’s warm sax leads enter to spread smooth melodic lines above.
Gliding with a gentle groove and cut with memorable melodic flashes, it’s a stunning jam that rolls through exquisite moments of dancing instrumental leads and tight rhythmic grooves, capturing the chemistry of exceptionally talented musicians in the moment. It’s an epic display of Peter Daniel’s extraordinary creative talents, showcasing his compositional flair and performance panache to deliver a magical moment of instrumental jazz music.
Listen to Come Back Together below
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