There’s beauty even in chaos if we closely observe the meaningful pattern behind it – this would be my best shot at explaining Jeff Novotny’s music in one sentence. Based out of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff Novotny would be a familiar figure to you if you are an ardent follower of Progressive or Jazz Music. Having played as a session artist for Jazz groups, and in orchestra numerous times, Jeff is also known for his work in solo piano and electronic music projects. His experience is put on full display on the latest single under the banner of Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT, “Cygnus X-1”. A fifteen-minute track that encompasses everything from Progressive music, Jazz and Ska to Electronic music, and Rock.
Jeff’s inclination towards modern music and pop culture is evident on this track. Starting with the name of the track itself – “Cygnus X-1” – the name scientists gave for the first Blackhole. Cygnus X-1 is also the most studied astronomical object ever. The modern-day favourites – Electronic music and Ska can be heard here and there. But the one that got me sold to his music was the way Jeff incorporated such genres into the more traditional and classical ones such as Jazz – Bepop, Rock and Metal. Perhaps, this idea was the one that made it easier for me to resonate with his intent to include the name of a black hole for his single.
From my perspective, similar to how a Blackhole would stretch you as you move closer to it, the electronic intro introduces you to the world of Jeff Novotny wherein the sound of radio transmissions are sampled in a manner that it feels like an orchestrated electronic beat if you pay close attention. While you are getting sucked into the hole of nothingness, your vigilance would force you to move to the opposite side, trying to save yourself from getting inside the void. For me, these are the Jazz-centric sections that follow the electronic part. It is almost like moving from one world to another, one akin to an E.T world contemplated through transmission noises/electronics, and the other one being our Galaxy – epitomized through the acoustic sections.
So, this constant stretching and pulling out would create a chaotic movement – hence the odd time signatures. But, the song doesn’t stop there – humans can only try saving themselves – the void would start pulling us, stretching each cell individually – that’s why the electronic parts follow through, again. And, yes, this is just how I saw the track, plus that’s why I saw a pattern on this song – making it easier for me to get a hang of the song. The only thing that I would have loved on the track or say, the entire 15-minute act would be to see a single track discretized into many concepts or stories. Because not everyone would sit through 15 minutes, but it would have been an experience if it was to be an album or a concept EP.
Personally, the track is solid and I loved every single minute and detail I heard. Perhaps it would take some listening for those who are new to this particular genre, but I am sure that you will appreciate Jeff’s musicianship. Even though I can’t say this is his best track yet, as I am yet to finish listening to his discography in its entirety, I can surely say that this is his best one from the ones I have heard till now. Really looking forward to what is next for Jeff Novotny!
– Sooraj Ram
