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اسم [Ism]: Japanese Flower
ByReleased as an LP (or download), the two sides each present twenty minutes of densely packed energy music. "Dahlia" opens Cecil Taylor- like with Thomas dancing the keys before the trio's liftoff into luminescence. Backed by a surge of cymbal attack and Grip's inter-threading bass, Thomas reaches back through jazz piano history to Bud Powell's finger grooves filtered through an immediacy of sound. As the piece progresses, it picks up a locomotion encouraged by Gerbal's furious brushwork and Grip's scorching fingers. Thomas' solo right hand attack is soon joined by his left for block density. The trio heard here in full flight is a transcendent experience. But wait, there's more. "Tomato" opens with Grip bouncing his bow upon the strings of his bass as Gerbal likewise, drizzles upon his drum kit and Thomas dances a hop, skip and jump across his keyboard. This bounce sprinkle develops into a downpour, then a deluge. The pace quickens as the trio morphs into a speed freak zone, drunk on adrenaline. Of course all that goes up, must come down, and the Ism trio glides to conclusion with an oblique bebop promenade.
Track Listing
Dahlia; Tomato.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Japanese Flower | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Umlaut Records
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اسم [Ism]
Album Review
Mark Corroto
Japanese Flower
Umlaut Records
Pat Thomas
Joel Grip
Antonin Gerbal
Cecil Taylor
Bud Powell