Michigan-based collective Nomo has ventured into uncharted territory with its first release since 2006, “Ghost Rock.”
Though initially setting out with an Afrobeat-revival agenda, Nomo since has departed from the tried and true music of the great Nigerian musical icon Fela Kuti. All of Kuti’s West African elements are still there: the vamping funk-bass line, permeating horn riffs, the martial drive of the snare drum and vast space for instrumental improvisation.
The freshness is augmented with innovation and the inspiration of a slew of musical forms ranging from electronica, Congolese indigenous music and Balinese gamelan music.
The title track “Brainwave” even uses bandleader, composer and saxophonist Elliot Bergman’s brainwaves and a brainwave monitor to produce a gritty, static drone that guides the rest of the instruments through an intense gauntlet of crunchy jazz harmonies and timbres.
Through the band’s foray in fusing so many different styles, truly lush and unique grooves are born that result in nothing that is short of danceable. As odd as it might seem, songs such as “Nova” and “All the Stars” can be as meditative as they are infectiously stirring, highlighted by the calm wooden sound of clarinets and marimbas and the hard driving beats from the drum set and congas.
Featuring eight members, many of whom are multi-instrumentalists, the individual contributions are lost in translation. While solos are defined easily, the subtleties in the walls of sound can be hard to discern.
Live settings and video reveal how much electronic manipulation each person has of their instrument, from Bergman’s double Nord synthesizers, electric mbiras and electric sawblade gamelans to each horn player’s effects pedals and electronic wind or valve controllers.
“My Dear” opens with a descending horn line that splits into harmony and sets a mood similar to that of a ‘70s police-drama theme song. Joey Dosik’s alto saxophone solo is driven by an all-consuming fire that hearkens back to the early days of free jazz. It is safe to say that the most entertaining horn soloist in the band is baritone saxophonist Dan Bennett, who absolutely destroys on “My Dear,” “Last Beat” and the title track “Ghost Rock.”
“Rings” might be the most epic and sensual song of the album. This piece features all the band’s unique elements, including Harmon muted trumpets and an array of electronic and organic percussion. The simplistic four-note bass line interacts wonderfully with the busy gamelan and mbira, which add a dream-like haze to the music.
Though Bergman’s strong suit is not his solos, his arranging and composing are on point—testaments to the success of Nomo thus far.
Grade: A+
Download (don’t steal): “Three Shades” by Nomo
Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026