In the process of designing APLR’s programming relaunch, and while brainstorming on expanding the venue’s musical breadth, Night Reign was, and continues to be, a great source of inspiration. The brilliant Arooj Aftab pulls off the unthinkable and blends endless forms and styles of jazz, soul, world, experimental… the list goes on… but with a harmonious grace, you don’t often find when pulling together so many styles and cultures. It will undoubtedly forge a new sub-genre, but it’s so much more than some pigeonholed one-sheet description. Night Reign is lush and unfurls with each listen, exposing magnificent new depth and potent orchestration. It’s the rare piece of art that changes your brain chemistry. I don’t use Masterpiece often, but this masterful LP deserves that crown.
September 19, 2024