What happens when a decade-old instrumental hip hop band emerges—after years on the grind at block parties and bookstores followed by months of lockdown and a single 2020 gig performed to a smattering of protestors and a line of descending cops—to sit down at a real piano and a drum set and reflect? Lexiglass. A free-improvised spiritual jazz record rooted in hip hop. Recorded all live, with no second takes, no overdubs, and minimal editing, Lexiglass (s/t) is a raw showcase of free-improvised groove.

Alexis Marcelo and Will Glass started playing together in upper Manhattan around 2012, founding Lexiglass in 2014 as a back-up band for MCs and vocalists. When not accompanying others, they would perform instrumentally, combining golden-era repertoire (Kool G Rap, Mobb Deep, ATCQ) with exploratory playing. Funky and open-ended, these shows have featured cameos from scratch pioneer Grand Wizzard Theodore, Bowie drummer Dennis Davis, free jazz hero Daniel Carter, and the legendary MC T La Rock.

At the tail end of the pandemic, they sat down and improvised “Light on the Confluence,” a searing, searching piece that centers this release. While “Stained Glass Prism” rings with gospel-inspired piano, “Lake Effect” mines a dark groove inspired by the cold sounds of Buffalo’s Griselda, “One Six Five” throws out some heavy-loose Latin funk, and “Clap it Up” kaleidoscopes Thelonious Monk into Marley Marl into future soul. All spontaneously composed, these are real-time songs, freestyled instrumentals.

Lexiglass has released three mixtapes and two EPs of mostly covers. Lexiglass is their first release of mostly original material, and their first project on vinyl.

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