Review: Michael Formanek’s ‘New Digs’

Michael Formanek is perhaps best known for his work with the trio Thumbscrew, alongside guitarist Mary Halvorson and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. All three of that trio are part of the bassist’s newly assembled ensemble dubbed New Digs (Intakt, 2026). Completing the ensemble ate Hammond B3 player Alexander Hawkins and a trio of horns – John O’Gallagher on alto sax, Chet Doxas on tenor sax and clarinet, and Joao Almeida on trumpet. Given Formanek’s background, the album moves in multiple directions, with the septet at times branching into smaller units.

On the opening “New Old World,” the horns state a unison theme before giving way to solos from Halvoron, Hawkins, Almeida, and the two saxophonists. From there, things gets edgier with Almeida jabbing into the saxophonists’ dialogue. Meanwhile, Hawkins maintains both an overriding presence and more subtle underpinnings. Fujiwara is his usually kinetic self behind the kit. If it feels like the instruments are speaking over each other, that is intentional. Calm moves to chaos in an instant. “Prequel” begins with dramatic cymbal crashes over the B3, but it soon settles into a noirish soundscape with intertwining horns executing Formanek’s imaginative horn chart and he articulates a declarative, albeit bumpy solo, prodded on by Fujiwara’s clattering traps. The organ continues to add a mysterious aura.

O’Gallaher leads into “It Was,” soon joined by Doxas on tenor in a more conventional approach that still manages to land on a melancholic mood, though not quite as starkly as on “Prequel.” The piece calmly fades with gentle, though dark, organ swirls and cymbal flourishes. “For My Consideration” begins with bebop-like swing, again with the three horns out front. Once that head disapears, Hawkins holds sway on the B3, while the other members improvise behind, not over, him. Controlled chaos ensues, evaporates with pauses, and resumes again. There’s also an impressive dialogue between the leader and Fujiwara near the end of the piece.

Formanek grew up in the Bay Area, where he became a fan of soul-jazz organ bands. Those interests are most evident on “aka_The Stinger,” with Doxas’s tenor adding to the vibe. Yet, the tune reads far from tradition; it is like the traditional form on steroids, settled down only somewhat by Halvorson and Formanek’s deliberate picking. Formanek delivers an emphatic, full-toned intro to “Gone Home: Interlude for Susan Alcorn,” the tonality and mood later adopted by Almeida, with the trio of horns blowing elongated elegiac lines.  The tune is gorgeous, by far the most restrained in the program.  Halvorson, a close friend of the late Alcorn, naturally makes a glowing statement as well.  Yet, the organ’s dominant force seems a bit misplaced on the track. The horns mesh together with the organ and guitar, soaring to a stunning climax.  “Braxes” returns us to the outer edges, as horns entangle in a dizzying conflagration that never relents – as if each is ensconced in their own improvisation with little regard for the theme or melody, – until finally settling there in the last minute.

“Quinze” reads much like “For My Consideration” in terms of borrowing from classic jazz motifs, but it remains largely a feature for Hawkins, Fujiwara, and a unified horn section. Doxas goes beast-like in his tenor solo, in turn inspiring all the members to follow.  The septet maneuvers seamlessly between hard bop and free-form improvisation. Kudos are due to Hawkins here as he wrings notes out of the B3 that defy the usual image of the instrument. Halvorson jumps into the fray with escalating lines as the overall backdrop grows denser, leading to a whirlwind Fujiwara solo. “Quinze” is a standout track in every way and it may have been prudent to have closed the album with this track. Instead, the real closer, “Nigh Total” is an unforeseen experimental feature for Hawkins – and to a lesser extent, Halvorson – that never truly resolves.

Across New Digs, Formanek displays his brilliance as a composer. This is especially true with the horn charts. The album also offers Hammond B3 in a way it is rarely heard elsewhere. The album’s adventurous program constantly keeps the listener on edge, leaving them trying to anticipate what comes next.

‘New Digs’ will be released on March 20, 2026 on Intakt Records. It can be purchased directly from the label.