Released in 2026 on Colemine Records, Okonski’s Additions is a beautifully restrained exploration of contemporary spiritual jazz, where delicate piano melodies, understated grooves, and soulful improvisation converge. Following the acclaimed Entrance Music, the trio of pianist Steve Okonski, bassist Michael Isvara Montgomery, and drummer Aaron Frazer continues to refine its distinctive sound, drawing inspiration from jazz, soul, and hip-hop while maintaining an atmosphere of remarkable intimacy.
From the opening notes of Easy, the music unfolds with effortless grace. Okonski’s warm piano chords float above Montgomery’s rounded bass lines and Frazer’s subtle, unhurried percussion, creating a sound that feels simultaneously spontaneous and carefully balanced. There is a quiet confidence in the arrangements, a willingness to let melodies breathe and silences carry as much emotional weight as the notes themselves.
The EP moves naturally between contemplative passages and gently propulsive rhythms. Flying, featuring saxophonist Cochemea, introduces a more expressive, spiritual dimension, while Axes incorporates Rachel Kitchlew’s delicate harp textures into the trio’s understated musical language. The live recordings of Lafayette Ave and The Mountain reveal another side of their chemistry, capturing the spontaneity and fluid interaction that define their performances.
What distinguishes Additions is its ability to evoke the spiritual depth of artists like Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders without relying on their more expansive gestures. Okonski favors subtlety over virtuosity, allowing simple melodic ideas to develop through repetition, harmonic nuance, and rhythmic interplay. The influence of instrumental hip-hop is equally present, particularly in the relaxed grooves and intimate atmosphere that give the music its contemporary character.
Sonically, the EP is warm, organic, and beautifully spacious. The piano remains at the center, its resonant tones complemented by the woody presence of the bass and the delicate textures of the drums. Rather than emphasizing technical complexity, the production highlights the natural interaction between the musicians, preserving the feeling of a conversation unfolding in real time.
While rooted in spiritual and soul jazz, Additions ultimately transcends stylistic boundaries through its emotional simplicity. Each composition feels like a fleeting moment captured with remarkable sensitivity, balancing melancholy, serenity, and quiet optimism. The music never demands attention through dramatic gestures; instead, it gradually reveals its depth through subtle changes in texture and mood.
By the time the closing All Time fades into silence, Additions leaves behind a sense of warmth and contemplation. More than a collection of transitional recordings, the EP captures a trio whose greatest strength lies in the art of restraint, transforming modest musical gestures into something deeply human, intimate, and quietly transcendent.
