The Process

Released in 2014, 'The Process' represents a pivotal, experimental moment in Jon Batiste's discography, recorded well before his mainstream ascent as a late-night bandleader. Produced in collaboration with T-Bone Burnett, the album serves as a raw document of improvisational chemistry, featuring Batiste alongside bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Karriem Riggins. Unlike the polished Americana and soul-jazz of his later Grammy-winning work, this record explores the intersections of jazz-funk, avant-garde improvisation, and modern rhythmic structures. The tracklist is punctuated by 'B' interludes that act as connective tissue for longer, more exploratory pieces like 'The Drift' and 'Turn on the Light / Ascent'. Critics noted the album's departure from traditional song structures, praising Batiste's ability to maintain his melodic sensibility even within highly dissonant and rhythmically complex environments. It stands as his most 'intellectual' and 'nocturnal' record, showcasing a technical ferocity and a willingness to embrace the 'process' of creation over the finality of a pop hook.