In a world where even Top 40 radio hits have bass drops, it takes originality to survive in the emerging American EDM scene. Enter Big Gigantic – a jazz influenced duo comprised of longtime Motet saxophonist Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken – who bring live instrumentation to a genre known for the use of computer programming. Nocturnal focuses more on the synthesizer buildups/breakdowns and distorted bass wobble than 2009’s Fire It Up does; and on this release, Lalli is at his most passionate and inspired. His saxophone shines throughout, from the blues-influenced riffs of “Eyes Closed” to the emotional solos accompanying the clanging basslines on “The Heavyweight Champion” and “Beginning of the End.” Nocturnal shows a band ready to be exposed to larger crowds, and the band’s decision to release the album for free via their website will only bring them closer to that goal.
