Local Review: Teddy P — Moon Shi

Teddy P
Moon Shi
Dubawongwing
Street: 8.30.2025
Teddy P = Kamasi Washington + John Cale + Brother Jack McDuff + Mothers of Invention  

I have to say that, at first listen, this record challenged me, and I didn’t know if I had the jazz vocabulary to give an informative review. Not that I don’t love plenty of jazz, but my tastes tend to lean towards the swing of things. As I delved deeper into this five-song EP, I decided that Teddy P took several risks in creating this record, and that it would be disingenuous for me as the critic to not risk something as well. The title track is an almost eight-minute dissertation on what this group is capable of; it’s a journey through fusion, cool jazz and many other elements that are pulled together with a movie score-like through line. Given as singular as Teddy P is, they can skirt the fringes of the absurd, but never veer into the ridiculous. They toy with the juxtaposition of lush, thick orchestration and single horn solos in the same song to make the listener feel the distance between the two.

“Reticent” is the most immediately pleasing track on the record, and features the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Ester Judd. Because the song doesn’t follow any conventional pop structure, the vocals and lyrics have this unwritten natural quality to them, like somehow this voice just grew out of the mix of these instruments. 

Recorded entirely out on the Bonneville Salt Flats, there’s atmosphere for days on this record. Normally just a five-piece, this outing adds a 10-piece horn section, which contributes to the larger scope of the record. 

“Goodbye” is a lush, rich track that is almost overwhelming at times. Using these low growl moog/synth type sounds is something I’ve never heard on a jazz record before. The track is the best of Judd’s vocals which start off in this pleasant easy mode, but once she utters the line “you’re a disaster,” the whole thing shifts into a darker tone. It’s an interesting mix of ideas and, while I’m drawn in, it’s never easy to latch on and stay drawn in. I wish I could say that this record is for everyone, and maybe I’m not giving everyone enough credit, but I don’t think it was made for everyone. Avant-garde jazz is inherently unapproachable for most listeners, but I’m sure those select people who seek out this music are going to find something special here, and I hope they do. —James Orme

Read more by James Orme:
Swing, Jump and Shout for Joy!
So F’koshing Good

If you enjoy SLUG’s local music coverage consider joining our community of donors!