whatthehekkist 
Jojo Mayer & Nerve is a groundbreaking electronic jazz band that has captivated audiences with their innovative sound. Led by the exceptional drummer Jojo Mayer, this band seamlessly blends elements of jazz, electronica, and drum’n’bass to create a distinct clarity in musical experience.
Loot (The Distance Between Zero and One, 2011)
“Loot” begins with a moderate dub rhythm, reminiscent of the dubstep sound popular in the late 2000s. The seamless fusion of electronic and analog elements, particularly Jojo Mayer’s skillful drumming, creates an impressive listening experience for fans of EDM.
The album’s title, “The Distance Between Zero and One,” evokes thoughts of the space between binary digits and conjures images of overflowing mathematical glitches or errors in the Matrix calculations.
Triptych (Ghosts Of Tomorrow, 2015)
The album “Ghosts of Tomorrow” is a genuine amalgamation of auditory experiences, providing a familiar essence that is consistently veiled in ambiguity. For every identifiable genre present in the album, there’s an abundance of mysterious components encompassing it.
“Triptych,” the first track is a psychedelic trippy four-minute track. Mayer’s build-up adds a revitalizing touch to an otherwise cyclic tune, serving as a captivating disguise for their intricate drum’n’bass rhythms, subtle dubstep embellishments, and mellow minimal house vibes.
Ghosts Of Tomorrow (Ghosts Of Tomorrow, 2015)
The title track “Ghosts Of Tomorrow” from the album of the same name showcases Jojo Mayer’s exceptional jungle rhythm with his masterful percussive rudemental depth. While the synthesizers surreally flows throughout the song, Mayer’s drums paint a satisfying and consistently aggressive sound. This unique style sets Nerve apart from other contemporary electronic trios.
Nerve’s awakening in their journey is due to the tendancy that music in the 21st century has become stagnant. They view popular culture as stuck in a monotonous loop, merely rehashing ideas from the last two decades instead of forging its own unique identity.
Nerve’s sound is remarkably deceptive, impressively so, as it operates on principles of improvisation and unfiltered jamming, and musical clarity.
Mindwash (The Distance Between Zero and One, 2011)
Listening to Mindwash gives you the sensation of soaring through a euphoric cyberspace, evoking feelings of nostalgia for the early 2000s, and so on. It starts off similarly to the album’s first song, with a dubstep rhythm, but then it gathers momentum that infuses the track with a dreamy yet vibrant energy.
Like dreaming an unobstructed blue sky over an urban landscape or witnessing the finale of an Opera in a multi-dimensional dream, it pulls you into a free fall from the highest skyscraper towards an uncharted location on the map that remains perpetually unrendered.
Far (Prohibited Beats, 2009)
“Far” is an incredibly impressive exhibition that delights you with Mayer’s signature drum’n’bass sounds; astonishing syncopations executed solely by his right hand, fitful ghost notes and accents by his left hand, and solid kick durm purse. He achieves a level of skill that elevates him to iconic level among drum aficionados.
Under the flurry of intense bass and sharply minimal yet impeccably arranged synth hues, Mayer delivers a stellar performance. The song embodies an elegant idea of the extraordinary abilities that drummers can demonstrate.
Derbyshire (The Distance Between Zero and One, 2011)
“Derbyshire,” an homage to the trailblazer of electronic music, Delia Derbyshire, features addictive vintage tones from Jacob Bergson’s keys and synths. It might be challenging to feel the rhythm at first, but as you immerse yourself further into the piece, you start to connect with it.
Foggy and sleepy melodies and bass lines continuously loop over Mayer’s wild brush textures that envelop the entire track. This creates a thick atmosphere as if being inside a smoky electronica booth.
Tetrastigm (The Distance Between Zero and One, 2011)
“Tetrastigm” is a genuine pleasure to listening-experience. In this piece, Mayer exhibits his remarkable drumming prowess, employing a range of rhythms that are swift yet set an ambiance that is both ominous and technologically tinged. Nerve’s composition may evoke memories of “Breakcore” days for many listeners.
There’s an undeniable presence of something somber and grayscale here, but it’s appealing and intriguing. It resembles those shadowy and subterranean missions in a video game with somehow cyberpunk-dystopian motifs. The song captures the essence of the chaos & tumultuousness inherent in such narratives while also adding a futuristic edge.
(header image credit: soundcloud -The Distance Between Zero And One)
playlist #15 | Jazz and Funk Collective Snarky Puppy