Jazz can be an incredibly fascinating conversationalist, but there’s no guarantee you’ll have the patience to listen. There’s too much freedom, too many possible directions, and if you’re not in the loop, you might just get lost. It’s a genre that respectfully nods to tradition while rolling its eyes at the rules, which is why its fate is always up for debate: still alive? Still evolving? Or are we just treading water, recycling old standards and pretending to improvise? That’s where Handsome Answer comes in—an album that doesn’t just immerse you in the cozy world of jazz harmonies but also serves as a reminder that this music can be vibrant, dynamic, and downright essential. Alex Hand, a guitarist with fifteen years of experience, has long roamed across genres—from country to gypsy swing—and seems to have gathered enough material to release an album with no need for compromise. It’s his fifth release, but the first where everything is his own—no covers, no nods to the old masters.

What makes Handsome Answer special? Probably that very sense of liveliness missing from many recent jazz recordings. There’s no museum-like atmosphere here, no careful steps along a well-trodden path—you can hear that the musicians aren’t just playing but interacting, debating, egging each other on. The album features young jazz players from North Texas, and it shows—in the energy, in the slightly audacious delivery.

This naturally raises a rhetorical question: Has jazz outlived itself as a genre? Of course not. Otherwise, where would musicians like Alex Hand come from, those who meticulously gather the best elements from different styles and shape something relevant? Handsome Answer seems to offer a fresh perspective on the intricate and multifaceted world of improvisational music. The musicians aren’t afraid to joke, to play with rhythm and melody, occasionally throwing in unexpected turns that make you stop and replay a section. It’s these details that make you want to place the album on the shelf alongside the classics—where it won’t get lost among the giants of the genre.

Sometimes, you can judge an album within the first minute. Pimps and Robbers kicks things off, and from the moment you hear it, it’s clear—there’s no room for compromise here. Hand sets the bar so high right away that you start to wonder: can he keep it there until the end? His guitar work is flawless, delivered with precision and intensity that demand respect.

Capoeira picks up where the opener leaves off, keeping the momentum alive. These two tracks feel like brothers—carrying the same energy without repeating each other. There’s a sense that every note matters, every phrase is placed with intent, leaving no space for filler.

But when it comes to personal favorites, Gotta Hit the Vampires stands out. It’s fast, punchy, and tight as hell—zero wasted motion, just straight-up kinetic jazz that doesn’t let up for a second. Then comes The Special Detective’s Theme, followed by its battle-hardened counterpart, The Special Detective’s Fight Song, and suddenly, noir shadows creep into the album. For a moment, it almost feels like a concept record, as if there’s a hidden storyline waiting to be unraveled.

Alex Hand’s virtuosity shines through in his signature rapid-fire runs and agile fingerwork. He has a way of making the guitar feel like a voice of its own, speaking through rhythm, melody, and expression. Every sharp accent, every fluid legato phrase serves the bigger picture.

And when the seven-minute improvisation Vegetable Dan kicks in, all doubts disappear—this is exactly the kind of jazz that belongs in the present. Not a museum piece, not an endless cycle of past references, but a living, free-flowing, and meticulously crafted stream of music that leaves not just satisfaction, but genuine exhilaration.

I can’t predict whether Handsome Answer will be a defining moment for every jazz listener, but it absolutely deserves to be heard. I keep coming back to it, and each time, new details emerge—small nuances I hadn’t noticed before. What’s especially rewarding is that Alex Hand embraces various traditions without losing his identity or falling into routine imitation.

If you’ve ever thought jazz had lost its spark, albums like Handsome Answer are worth a listen. Maybe this record will be the answer to those doubts. I’ve already added it to my favorites—I can’t guarantee it’ll be number one for everyone, but for me, it’s one of those albums you want to keep close, ready to play as soon as evening falls and you’re looking for something inspiring.

Can Handsome Answer be seen as an answer to the question of jazz’s future? More than that, it’s a reminder that jazz has always thrived in motion. When it stalls, becoming little more than a collector’s item for audiophiles, it starts to lose its purpose. So yes, if this album belongs on a shelf, it’s not in the “nostalgia for a golden age” section, but in “the best of what we have right now.”

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