Saxophonist and composer Jonathan Reisin presents Too Good X Unreality, his second album as a leader, a project that explores the connection between complexity and simplicity in music. Each composition reflects this balance, with thoughtful ideas that highlight the importance of this relationship. Following his debut album Option B (2022, Habitable Records) and the collaborative release Earthquake (2023, 577 Records) with drummer Francisco Mela, Too Good X Unreality marks a new chapter in Reisin’s evolving sound. The concept for the album evolved over nearly two years and took shape through Reisin’s collaboration with pianist Shinya Lin and drummer Jarred Chase. The trio’s shared focus on sound exploration and their dynamic interplay as musicians form the core of this album. Lin’s deep knowledge of prepared piano allows him to create a wide range of textures and sonic possibilities, while Chase’s unique approach to drumming brings an intricate and rhythmic foundation. Reisin’s distinctive saxophone style ties everything together with melodic lines that weave in and out of the harmonic and rhythmic framework. Together, they push the boundaries of their instruments, producing a well-rounded and thought-provoking body of work that is both cohesive and full of surprises.
The album’s opening track, “Walk and Talk”, began as an experiment in fully notated piano writing, integrating microtonality—specifically quarter tones—within a swing feel. The result is a piece that blurs the lines between structured composition and the natural looseness of improvisation, setting the tone for the album’s exploration of musical contrasts.
“Through the Glass” was conceived as a piece meant to be performed prima vista, or sight-read on stage. Designed with an inherent sense of forgiveness, it allows for spontaneity while simultaneously demanding precision in specific moments. This duality forces the performers to navigate between control and release, mirroring the album’s broader themes.
The title track, “Too Good X Unreality”, serves as the conceptual and sonic core of the album, presented in two parts that form a larger, four-part whole. This composition focuses on sound exploration, silence, space, blending, pulse, and repetition. It embodies the duality of contemporary existence—where clarity and distortion, reality and illusion, constantly shift and intertwine.
“Offertorium”, inspired by Sofia Gubaidulina, utilizes prepared piano to explore alternate tuning systems and melodic structures. The piece showcases the piano’s full expressive range, from deep resonant lows to crystalline highs, creating a dialogue between the instrument’s altered timbres and the ensemble’s evolving textures. As the
piece unfolds, it evolves into a tenor saxophone solo layered over a rhythmic loop, adding a driving pulse that contrasts with its initial ethereal nature.
“Turn Off the Voices” evokes the restless state of a mind overwhelmed by late-night thoughts, where intrusive ideas refuse to settle. In this piece, the piano adheres closely to the score while the other instruments move more freely, creating an uneven momentum that mimics the unpredictable flow of inner dialogue. The prepared piano enhances this atmosphere, offering ghostly, percussive textures that heighten the sensation of disorientation.
The album concludes with “Prelude”, a simple yet poignant melody that encapsulates the essence of the album’s journey. Stripped down and introspective, it serves as both an ending and a beginning—a moment of reflection that lingers beyond the final note.
With Too Good X Unreality, Jonathan Reisin and his trio deliver a bold and introspective statement, challenging the listener to embrace both the intricacies and the stark simplicity that coexist within their music.
“These pieces are especially fragile. Too Good X Unreality would not exist without the conceptual and musical contributions of Shinya Lin and Jarred Chase. They approached each piece as a prompt, expanding their thinking and seeking new ways to play. This was my desire in writing the music—to create something open, something that invites discovery. The album lives in the space between complexity and simplicity, capturing the delicate balance that defines its sound. I’m grateful to everyone involved—Shinya, Jarred, and all who helped bring this project to life.”
—Jonathan Reisin
Bio
Jonathan Reisin is a Brooklyn-based saxophonist, composer, and improviser born in Israel, His artistic vision revolves around crafting original music deeply influenced by Contemporary music, Jazz, and the Avant-Garde. Throughout his career, Jonathan had the opportunity to collaborate with notable artists such as Francisco Mela, Kris Davis, Anat Fort, Nate Wooley , Cooper Moore, and many more, with appearances at the Vermont Jazz Festival, Forward Festival (Brooklyn), M3 Festival (NY), Gangneung International Art Festival (South Korea) and venues around the world. In 2022, Jonathan released his highly acclaimed debut album, "Option B," through Habitable Records, garnering widespread praise from critics and music enthusiasts alike. In October 2023, Jonathan was set to embark on another exciting musical venture as he collaborated with his esteemed mentor, the great drummer Francisco Mela, on a new album titled 'Earthquake,' on 577 Records.