Paul Hession - Simon H. Fell - Charles Wharf: Improvabilly (2002)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: October 6, 2002

Paul Hession - Simon H. Fell - Charles Wharf: Improvabilly

Bassist/composer Simon H. Fell represents a significant force within Britain’s generally fertile improvisational scene. Yet, the artist has worked with Americans such as John Zorn (sax), Joey Baron (drums) and others, while also venturing into mainstream jazz and chamber frameworks. With this release, recorded in what the musicians refer to as a “dark and smelly room,” the trio’s freely concocted improvisations might be analogous to an action packed cinematic thriller. Besides the division of these works into sequentially oriented compositions, the musicians often work themselves into some sort of trance-like tailspin. Multi-reedman Charles Wharf pursues vertical movements atop Fell’s burgeoning arco-bass lines and drummer Paul Hession’s swarthy rhythms on the opener, “Between The Clock And The Bed.” They convey a noticeable element of intimacy during “Enter, Leave,” featuring Wharf’s undulating bass clarinet work. Whereas the finale “The Angel Of Hearth And Home,” is a bustling free-improv jaunt, topped off with swirling crosscurrents and sinuously perpetuated rhythmic diatribes. Nonetheless, this outing denotes a ballsy cutting session to coincide with the artists’ first collective trio performance in nearly ten years.

Bruces Fingers

Track Listing: 1.Between The Clock And The Bed 2.Enter, Leave 3.The Interior Of Sight 4.Self Portrait With Burning Cigarette 5.The Angel Of Hearth And Home

Personnel: Charles Wharf: bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, & tenor saxophone

Record Label: Bruce's Fingers
Style: Modern Jazz