Leopardism has the feel of a coming out party for the Rabnett 5 - with the emphasis on party. While Canadian jazz-heads are already familiar with their work, Leopardism positions the quintet to reach a much wider audience beyond its traditional Western Canadian base. Leopardism is the band’s fourth album, and its first for Ropeadope Records’ digital subsidiary. Adventurous improvisation within the confines of strong composition has always been a hallmark of the Rabnett 5 sound, and Leopardism still finds the band operating within a distinctly modern jazz framework. Here, the group’s previously embedded sense of groove and soulfulness is brought to the forefront under the tasteful understated protection of Scotty Hard (Medeski Martin & Wood). A drum break here and an echo effect there give the record a modern sound, despite its firm roots in 1960s Blue Note soul-jazz. Yet this is not a record that slavishly adheres to its influences. The composition and playing looks back, but confidently stakes its own ground in the present, filtering modern influences from hip-hop to gospel into a highly listenable mix. Leopardism is the sound of liberated musicians, trading in their upright basses and acoustic pianos for their electric counterparts, and trading their supper-club audience for those seeking the dance floor. The result is a groovy record, without any sacrifice of the intelligent musicianship that brought the Rabnett 5 to the dance in the first place.  

By Jamie Bliss
Sep 10, 2008