SML’s How You Been: Jazz Innovators Stir Up a Heady Sonic Adventure

Explore how SML’s latest album How You Been pushes jazz boundaries with inventive grooves and a fearless, playful spirit.

A Night in Seattle: When SML Transformed Jazz Improvisation

If you ever stumbled upon SML live—like I did back in March in Seattle—you know their jazz prowess isn’t just about tight compositions; it’s a full-on exploratory journey. That night, the band spun out three epic improvisations that felt like a deep dive into “groove science.” The second improvisation, in particular, carried this cool, funky swagger reminiscent of Average White Band’s classic “Schoolboy Crush.” It was, hands down, the best show I caught in 2025.

What’s fascinating is how those live set pieces stretched out way beyond the leaner, more concise versions on their records. This flexibility underscores SML’s genius: they can thrive in both distilled recordings and sprawling live experiments.

From Small Medium Large to How You Been: A Journey of Sonic Alchemy

SML first caught our collective ears with their 2024 debut, Small Medium Large. The album introduced a fresh voice in the jazz/improv underground, weaving together a tapestry of sounds that flirted with Jon Hassell’s ethereal Fourth World vibes and the crisp, spacious tones typical of ECM chamber jazz. It wasn’t just a homage—it was a bold hybrid, crafting new, mesmerizing shapes out of diverse influences.

Fast forward to How You Been on International Anthem, and the title might sound casual, even mundane, but this record sneaks up on you with its intricate explorations. The lineup here is a dream team: Anna Butterss on bass, Josh Johnson wielding the sax, Gregory Uhlmann on guitar, Jeremiah Chiu with synth magic, and Booker Stardrum on drums. These musicians don’t come off as jazz traditionalists taking themselves too seriously; rather, they channel a playful irreverence that’s refreshing amid the complexity, resulting in some of the “headiest” music around.

Dive Into the Tracks: The Sound That Keeps Shifting

The album kicks off with “Chicago Four,” a track that instantly buzzes with the industrious energy of '90s Mouse on Mars. Uhlmann’s staccato guitar slices through a synth melody that feels like it might’ve slipped out of a mid-’70s Chick Corea or Joe Zawinul record. Meanwhile, Stardrum’s off-kilter, almost martial drumming tussles with Butterss’ probing bass—creating a tension that’s both mechanical and organic.

“Daves” is where things get kinetic, a post-jazz puzzle moving with Cubist misdirection—think jazz that’s thinking three moves ahead. Then there’s “Stepping In/The Loop,” which tries to birth a weird club banger but ends up feeling more suited to concert halls where academic musicians love to dissect complex rhythms. It’s a fascinating paradox in motion.

Peak Moment: Taking Out the Trash and the Funk of Complexity

The high point of How You Been lands on “Taking Out the Trash.” This track is a five-dimensional funk tapestry that immediately brings to mind the groundbreaking spirit of Miles Davis’ On the Corner. Butterss and Uhlmann engage in an almost hypnotic interplay, while Stardrum’s metallic percussion layers add an iridescent sheen. Johnson takes flight with a frenetic yet carefully measured sax solo that cuts through the bustling sonic landscape.

What’s magical is how each musician seems deeply immersed in their own sonic universe, yet everything snaps together just right—grooves bubble up naturally, like a secret recipe slowly coming together in the kitchen. The album is rich, complex, and endlessly intriguing.

Jazz has always been about pushing limits and embracing the unexpected, and How You Been fits right into that tradition with a modern twist. SML’s blend of tight musicianship, playful experimentation, and heady grooves makes this album a rewarding listen for anyone craving something fresh, intelligent, and fun.

FAQ

• What musical styles influence SML’s sound?
  SML draws from a rich palette including Jon Hassell’s Fourth World music, ECM-style chamber jazz, '70s fusion legends like Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul, and '90s experimental acts like Mouse on Mars.
• Who are the members of SML on this album?
  The lineup features Anna Butterss on bass, Josh Johnson on saxophone, Gregory Uhlmann on guitar, Jeremiah Chiu on synthesizers, and Booker Stardrum on drums.
• How does SML’s live performance differ from their studio albums?
  Their live shows expand on the concise studio material with extended improvisations that explore deeper grooves and hypnotic rhythms, offering a more spontaneous, expansive experience.
• What makes the track “Taking Out the Trash” stand out?
  It channels the spirit of Miles Davis’ On the Corner with complex, multi-layered funk and mesmerizing interplay between guitar, bass, drums, and saxophone.
• Is SML’s music accessible to jazz newcomers?
  While their music is intricate and exploratory, the playful energy and groove-driven elements make it engaging even for listeners new to experimental jazz.

Looking to bring a slice of SML’s adventurous spirit into your space? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store and celebrate this fresh jazz force in your own room. Explore the collection here.