Lexiglass (Vinyl)

What happens when a decade-old instrumental hip hop band emerges-after years on the grind at block parties and bookstores followed by months of lockdown and a single 2020 gig performed to a smattering of protestors and a line of descending cops-to sit down at a real piano and a drum set and reflect? Lexiglass. A free-improvised spiritual jazz record rooted in hip hop. Recorded all live, with no second takes, no overdubs, and minimal editing, Lexiglass (s/t) is a raw showcase of free-improvised groove. Alexis Marcelo and Will Glass started playing together in upper Manhattan around 2012, founding Lexiglass in 2014 as a back-up band for MCs and vocalists. When not accompanying others, they would perform instrumentally, combining golden-era repertoire (Kool G Rap, Mobb Deep, ATCQ) with exploratory playing. Funky and open-ended, these shows have featured cameos from scratch pioneer Grand Wizzard Theodore, Bowie drummer Dennis Davis, free jazz hero Daniel Carter, and the legendary MC T La Rock. At the tail end of the pandemic, they sat down and improvised "Light on the Confluence," a searing, searching piece that centers this release. While "Stained Glass Prism" rings with gospel-inspired piano, "Lake Effect" mines a dark groove inspired by the cold sounds of Buffalo's Griselda, "One Six Five" throws out some heavy-loose Latin funk, and "Clap it Up" kaleidoscopes Thelonious Monk into Marley Marl into future soul. All spontaneously composed, these are real-time songs, freestyled instrumentals. Lexiglass has released three mixtapes and two EPs of mostly covers. Lexiglass is their first release of mostly original material, and their first project on vinyl.

Track List

1. Stained Glass Prism
2. Lake Effect
3. One Six Five
4. Light on the Confluence
5. Clap it Up
6. Love is Love