Dezron Douglas Details New Album ‘Atalaya’ & Shares Title Track

Acclaimed bassist Dezron Douglas announced details of a new album entitled Atalaya. Douglas, who today unveiled the record’s title track, is joined by his quartet on the LP set to arrive through International Anthem on November 18.

Dezron Douglas is currently on the road with the Trey Anastasio Band. The bassist has an illustrious resume that includes work with Pharoah Sanders, Makaya McCraven, Brandee Younger and Ravi Coltrane. Douglas’ ensemble on the 10-track Atalaya features keyboardist George Burton, saxophonist Emilio Modeste and drummer Joe Dyson Jr. Additionally, Melvis Santa contributed vocals and percussion to the song “Wheeping Birch.”

“Mysticism, Magic, Faith, Love, Power, Discernment! These are words that embody the creative process of Music,” wrote Douglas to start his liner notes for the album. Atalaya comes on the heels of Force Majeure, a duo record with harpist Brandee Younger that was released in December of 2020.

“Dezron’s crew summons the dynamism of Coltrane’s classic Quartet, or Dave Holland’s Quintet on Prime Directive, or Charles Mingus on Nostalgia In Times Square… swinging virtuosically and firing on all 4 cylinders,” as per press materials announcing Atalaya. “But there’s nothing remotely revisionist here – Dezron and his quartet embody poetry, presence, artistic and emotional clarity in every note they play. Free and dissonant, sweet and consonant, sweeping and pure… This is the band you hope is playing every time you walk into a club.”

Produced by Dezron Douglas, the bulk of the album was captured at Firehouse 12 in New Haven, Connecticut on August 25 and 26, 2021. Stream “Atalaya” below:

Atalaya Tracklist

1. Atalaya
2. Rose
3. Coyocan
4. Luna Moth
5. Wheeping Birch (feat. Melvis Santa)
6. Jones Beach
7. More Coffee Please
8. J Bird
9. Octopus
10. Folign