Donny McCaslin Announces “Lullaby for the Lost” Featuring Tim Lefebvre, Jonathan Maron, and More
Saxophonist Donny McCaslin has announced a new album called Lullaby for the Lost, and it’s already clear that it will be one of the year’s best. The nine-song collection leans into a rock-influenced, guitar-forward sound. The sound is something McCaslin is known for, as he was part of the visionary team behind David Bowie’s final opus, Blackstar. In fact, the effort sees him teaming up again with bass great Tim Lefebvre, who also produced Lullaby for the Lost.
“So much of the vibe and the feel of this record came from us bouncing ideas, just following that connection wherever it led,” McCaslin says of his work with Lefebvre. “I can’t imagine making this music without him.”
The new record also features keyboardist Jason Lindner (also of note for working on Blackstar), drummers Zach Danziger and Nate Wood, guitarist Ben Monder, and bassist Jonathan Maron. Maron co-founded the Groove Collective in addition to working with Meshell Ndegeocello, Tupac Shakur, Jewel, India.Arie, and more.
“The balance of expressing passion, anger, and the wonder of beauty, while striving for oneness with the band has led to this moment,” McCaslin explains.
The saxophonist has shared a sample of the album with its lead single, “Celestial,” which came out of spontaneity and honed into a cohesive song.
“Born during a soundcheck in Fano, Italy, the track emerged when Lindner laid down a synthesizer sound ‘full of wonder,’ Lefebvre contributed a bass line with ‘a tinge of Weather Report,’ and Wood added a compelling groove. McCaslin recorded the moment on his phone, later developing it into the finished song with Lefebvre and Lindner,” a press release explains.
Check out Lefebvre’s trance-like bass line on “Celestial”:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier with how a record turned out than this one,” McCaslin says. “It’s meaningful, it’s urgent, and it’s me.”
Lullaby for the Lost will be released on September 26th. It’s open to pre-order on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music, and Amazon Music).
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
