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George Schuller's Circle Wide: Listen Both Ways
BySix of the album's eight tunes are staples of the unit's live sets, with nuanced arrangements of pianist Carla Bley's serene ballad "Jesus Maria" and under-sung writer Margo Guryan's Ornettish "Edwin" rounding out the program. The corkscrew melody of the episodic travelogue "A Map Would Help" evokes a similar Coleman-esque spirit, although the majority of Schuller's post-bop themes continue to find stylistic accord in the ground breaking electro-acoustic territory his band previously explored in its interpretations of Davis and Jarrett's oeuvre.
Circle Wide has been Schuller's primary ensemble for the past thirteen years, with the current lineup together since 2009. Tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum brings robust lyricism and throaty expressionism to the proceedings, occasionally tempering his fervent excursions with delicate ruminations on melodica, as highlighted on the gorgeous "Jesus Maria." Sharing a penchant for scintillating metallic timbres, guitarist Brad Shepik and vibraphonist Tom Beckham complement each other perfectly. Shepik's chameleonic approach veers between the searing arpeggios of "Store Without A Name" and the glassy fretwork that adorns the languid "Newtoon," which simultaneously spotlights Beckham's effervescent contributions. Dave Ambrosio's pliant bass lines underpin the leader's cascading rhythms, providing melodious lift to an array of ebullient motifs, underscored by modulating time signatures and atmospheric rubato interludes.
From the optimistic folk forms of "Could This Be The Year?" and the menacing blues abstraction "Better Than Prozac" to the angular hard bop swinger "Bed Head," Circle Wide expounds on a diverse selection of works that embody the same vanguard spirit espoused by visionary fusion innovators like pianist Paul Bley, vibraphonist Gary Burton and guitarist Larry Coryell. Expertly integrating freewheeling interplay with sophisticated charts, Listen Both Ways is the group's most definitive statement, and Schuller's most engaging session as a leader to date.
Track Listing
Could This Be The Year?; Store Without A Name; Better Than Prozac; Edwin; Jesus Maria; A Map Would Help; Newtoon; Bed Head.
Personnel
George Schuller
drumsPeter Apfelbaum: tenor saxophone and melodica; Brad Shepik: guitar; Tom Beckham: vibraphone; Dave Ambrosio: bass; George Schuller: drums and bells.
Album information
Title: Listen Both Ways | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Playscape Recordings