Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington – Enigmatic Society (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/48kHz]

Only three months after the release of their 2020 Dinner Party LP, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, and Kamasi Washington certified that the project of the same name would not be a one-time deal. They presented Dinner Party: Dessert with Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Tarriona “Tank” Ball (sans Bangas), and many other associates in on fairly radical alternate versions of each Dinner Party cut. At the end of the year, Dinner Party were behind the title track of Martin’s solo Village Days EP, and at some later point reconvened to make this follow-up. Enigmatic Society was synchronized with the unique quartet’s appearance at Coachella 2023. It’s another inviting exercise in concision that vaporizes genre distinctions between jazz, soul, and funk in a way that is ultimately hip-hop despite a total lack of MCs. Main Dinner Party vocalist Phoelix shares his role this time with Arin Ray and Ant Clemons. The three are on the same page with warmhearted expressions and intimate vocals that waft as peacefully as Martin and Washington’s saxophones. The tone is set by Phoelix in “Answered Prayer,” an atmospheric ballad built on Glasper’s serene piano; he sounds like he’s transmitting from the beyond as he sings of contentment and gratitude. “Secure,” also without drums, takes to the sky with help from the elder Tank. Phoelix signs off with “Can’t Go,” his noncompliance echoed by the sampled voice of Daryl Hall stretched to a drawl. Further evidence that this is a crew of ’80s babies is in the Sounwave co-production “Insane,” a showcase for a resigned Ant Clemons that blows bubbles with Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit.” Ray takes the mike for the album’s three most amiable songs, supporting an overwhelmed loved one on “Breathe,” and on both the softly bobbing “For Granted” and misty “Love Love” testifying in simple terms without being trite. As on the self-titled session, there is some instrumental material. The calmly driving “Watts Renaissance” evokes persistence and communal support. “The Lower East Side,” co-helmed by Trevor Lawrence, Jr., is dubbed-out funk with a grimace-inducing change at the two-minute mark. Enigmatic Society is neither as powerful nor as weighty as the debut, and certainly doesn’t seem intended to match it in those regards. It’s altogether a calmer, more romantic work. – Andy Kellman

Tracklist:

1-01. Dinner Party – Answered Prayer (02:22)
1-02. Dinner Party – Breathe (03:09)
1-03. Dinner Party – Insane (02:51)
1-04. Dinner Party – Watts Renaissance (02:49)
1-05. Dinner Party – For Granted (02:52)
1-06. Dinner Party – Secure (02:39)
1-07. Dinner Party – Can’t Go (02:44)
1-08. Dinner Party – The Lower East Side (02:52)
1-09. Dinner Party – Love Love (02:32)