Wax Poetic

Turkish saxophonist Ilhan Ersahin leads this innovative, variably sized ensemble through a variety of musical terrains, focusing on jazzy Trip-Hop and full-throttle live Drum 'n' Bass. He's got quite a roster of players, including rising stars such as drummer Kenny Wolleson and established veterans such as trumpeter Eddie Henderson. This diversity is characteristic of Wax Poetic: the songs combine Wolleson's avant New York jazz and Henderson's early Funk/Fusion with Herbie Hancock with hints of everyone from Kruder & Dorfmeister to Wu Tang's RZA. But the group has many other important facets, including Lisa Rudolph's stunning vocal work and slick DJ fills. The group can swell to sixteen constantly changing members, and their sound benefits from the mass of multicultural creative energy.