Fluid, expansive jazz fusion led by a singing fretless bass and shimmering percussion. Atmospheric and technical music for coastal drives and open horizons.
Elements creates a sound that feels like a vast, sun-drenched landscape. It is jazz fusion that prioritizes atmosphere and melody over the frantic shredding often associated with the genre. The music is anchored by the unmistakable, liquid tone of Mark Egan’s fretless bass, which often takes on a vocal-like quality, floating over Danny Gottlieb’s airy and precise drumming. It is music that captures the feeling of natural light and open water.
What makes this group distinctive is their ability to blend high-level technical proficiency with a deeply emotional, almost pastoral sensibility. While the musicianship is elite, featuring alumni of the Pat Metheny Group, the focus remains on the 'vibe' - long, evolving textures, shimmering synthesizers, and a sense of forward motion that never feels rushed. It is a bridge between the complex structures of 70s fusion and the more melodic, accessible sounds of the 80s.
Start with their self-titled debut or 'Blown Away' to experience their peak chemistry. These albums showcase the group's ability to create immersive, cinematic soundscapes that reward close listening but also serve as a perfect backdrop for moments of reflection or travel.
Elements was an American jazz fusion ensemble founded by bass guitarist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb in 1982. Egan and Gottlieb were members of the Pat Metheny Group, and Elements' sound drew from their experience. Band members included Bill Evans, Gil Goldstein, Steve Khan and Clifford Carter. Elements was apparently last active in the mid-1990s. In 2019, Gottlieb and Egan continued to record together (in a more-traditional jazz style) under their own names.
Shares smooth jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, saxophone (subgenre)
Shares smooth jazz, ocean, jazz fusion, instrumental only (subgenre)
Shares fretless bass, liquid, jazz fusion, progressive rock (signature)
Shares ocean, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, saxophone (signature)
Shares smooth jazz, liquid, jazz fusion, instrumental only (subgenre)
Shares jazz fusion, progressive rock, dynamic range, saxophone (subgenre)
Shares smooth jazz, ocean, jazz fusion, saxophone (subgenre)
Shares ocean, liquid, jazz fusion, instrumental only (atmosphere)
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