Season of Renewal

Recorded in 1989 for the JMT label, Season of Renewal stands as a pivotal early work in Greg Osby's career and a significant entry in the M-Base (Macro-Basic Array of Structured Extemporization) canon. Following his debut and 'Mindgames', this third outing sees Osby further refining his 'darting' alto style against a backdrop of contemporary electronic rhythms. The album features a notable supporting cast including Kevin Eubanks and Lonnie Plaxico, yet it was met with critical division. While some critics found the juxtaposition of avant-garde improvisation and mechanical funk rhythms 'annoying' or 'inappropriate', others praised the spacious arrangements and Osby's innovative approach to tone color. Historically, the album is a bridge between the post-bop tradition and the emerging urban-influenced jazz of the 1990s. It is particularly distinct for its inclusion of spoken word and rap elements on tracks like 'Word', signaling Osby's career-long interest in integrating street-level vocal textures into high-concept jazz.