Age of Reason [Vinyl]

Following their critically acclaimed eponymous debut in 2018, international jazz quartet SCOPES bring their blend of accessibility and adventure to Whirlwind Recordings for their second album, 'Age of Reason'. Led by Austrian drummer Mathias Ruppnig, German bassist Tom Berkmann and French pianist Tony Tixier, American altoist Matt Chalk makes his debut with the quartet on this their second full-length release.

The group's second release is a personal and philosophical reflection on the pressing matters of a time, when all generations need to come closer together and become more aware of their surroundings. That feeling of maturity emerges on Age of Reason too - it's the first SCOPES recording to feature the compositional skills of each member, delivering some thrilling results.

Age of Reason opens with 'Deep Water', a Tixier composition that carefully balances drive and expansion in a "dive into the depths of our biggest unacknowledged dreams." For Ruppnig, the album's aims are encapsulated by this tune "the songs have an easy feel, and they're not too specific - every musician has the space to have his own voice speak."

The title track follows with its combination of melodic ease and structural space, whilst other tracks include 'Gift of Time', a tune born from the idea of how precious time is. Unable to tour or perform, SCOPES used that time constructively to create and explore the new sounds heard on Age of Reason.

Summarising, Ruppnig describes Age of Reason as a "transportation of feelings. "It's a very emotional album, and I hope listeners will find their own stories when listening to it." SCOPES make that task a pleasant one for audiences of all dispositions.