Description
Artemis – In Real Time – Vinyl Record
Artemis – In Real Time (2023) is a bold and exhilarating second album from the all-female jazz supergroup ARTEMIS, released on Blue Note Records and led by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes. Following their 2020 self-titled debut, this release reflects both continuity and evolution, with the ensemble welcoming saxophonists Nicole Glover and Alexa Tarantino into the fold alongside returning members Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Noriko Ueda (bass), Allison Miller (drums), and Rosnes herself. In Real Time feels exactly as its title suggests—music alive in the moment, shaped by deep listening, collective trust, and in-the-room spontaneity. It’s not simply a studio album; it is the result of a series of live performances at Birdland that allowed these musicians to sharpen their interactions in real time, capturing the organic energy of a working band rather than a one-off studio project.
The eight-track set features original compositions by group members, as well as a few deeply reimagined works from outside voices. The album opens with Rosnes’s arrangement of Lyle Mays’s “Slink,” which immediately establishes the album’s adventurous tone—layering electric keys, flute, and voice over a shifting harmonic structure that builds in complexity. Miller’s “Bow and Arrow” brims with post-bop energy, delivering tight ensemble playing and propulsive drumming that drives the tune forward without losing its nuanced interplay. Ueda’s “Lights Away From Home,” inspired by watching a meteor shower, is both delicate and expansive, showcasing the group’s ability to move fluidly between lyricism and drive. Tarantino’s “Whirlwind” offers a brooding, moody waltz that evolves over time into something both urgent and cinematic, while Rosnes’s “Balance of Time” contrasts rubato and waltz sections to explore introspection and elegant phrasing.
One of the emotional high points is “Empress Afternoon,” a reworking of Rosnes’s own 2002 composition from her Life on Earth album, which here takes on new life through the band’s intuitive dynamic shifts and dramatic storytelling. The album closes with a poignant tribute to Wayne Shorter: a beautifully restrained and emotionally resonant version of “Penelope,” arranged by Rosnes. It’s a perfect ending—a slow burn that honors Shorter’s melodic depth while leaving space for reflection. Throughout the album, every player contributes not only technically but emotionally, showing the rare blend of virtuosity and vulnerability that defines the best jazz ensembles.
Critically acclaimed and widely recognized as one of the standout jazz albums of 2023, In Real Time elevates Artemis from a celebrated concept to a cohesive, forward-thinking ensemble with a singular voice. While each member brings her own musical identity, the group thrives on collaboration and cohesion, delivering music that is bold, intricate, and alive with intention. The album not only advances the conversation around women in jazz but transcends labels altogether, standing as a powerful example of modern ensemble playing at its highest level. With its balance of composition, improvisation, and emotional range, In Real Time is not just a sophomore success—it’s a declaration that Artemis is here to shape the future of jazz, one fearless performance at a time.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Slink
Bow And Arow
Balance Of Time
Lights Away From Home
Timber
Whirlwind
Empress Afternoon
Penelope
