Review: Black Diamond - Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging (We Jazz Records)

Black Diamond are not the type to be re-arranging deck chairs on their own Titanic as this new jazz album sails into port with all the passengers and crew fully on board.

As unauthodox as any jazz musicians from Chicago, Artie Black and Hunter Diamond (Ed. did you see what they did there; Black Diamond?) lead the group that can be both duo and quartet incarnations.

As a group, as in the single 'Say To Yourself', the busy group has a mix of the modern BadBadNotGood and a good old fashioned waltz; jazzdance? 

'Zeotic' develops into a two-handed jazz-waltz with Black & Diamond seeming dualing for who leads.  Also check the video below for 'Carrying The Stick'.

In addition to the "off-kilter", the first three sides of the double album being the quartet of the sax/flute/woodwinds of Black and Diamond joined by Matt Ulery (double bass) and Neil Hemphill (drums) these guys do dabble in delicate chamber music, minimalist duo meditations on side four.

This album is their debut on We Jazz Records and I expect not thier last; a must to see live if you're in and around the Chicago area this summer (see dates below).

Artist: Black Diamond 
Title: Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging 
Release date: 5th July, 2024
Label : We Jazz Records
Catalog Number : WJLP70
Format: 2xLP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

BLACK DIAMOND LIVE / 2024
May 30th Merriman's Playhouse, South Bend Indiana
May 31st Ginger Rabbit Columbus Ohio
June 1st Con Alma, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
June 2nd Hobnob Theater, Butler Pennsylvania
June 4th Ann Arbor Public Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
June 14th The Green Mill, Chicago Illinois
June 15th The Green Mill, Chicago
August 25th Bucktown Arts Fest, Chicago