An indictment of our times and the culture of getting rich quick at all costs, Ruud Voesten’s wildly adventurous piece of experimental jazz is a whirlwind instrumental piece that keeps you on your toes. Starting in the absence of a full band for the first whole minute, “The Crypto Shuffle” piques your attentions with an ominous and foreboding opening solo performance before the band comes in around the one minute mark to drive that rhythm further. It’s a larger piece directed at the capital sin of greed itself, the frugality and spend thrift nature that it throws on either side of the aisle. The melody is decidedly groovy, but not once over the top or full throttle in its stature. It’s constantly keeping you on the edge of your seat, a tussle and to and fro. Around the two minute mark, the signatures change and the arrangement takes wild turn.
It’s intricate, dexterous, playful, and imaginative while being keenly pointed with its intention. A majestic jazz arrangement.