Ray Anderson / Ivo Perelman: 12 Stages of Spritual Alchemy

Saxophonist Ivo Perelman is a restlessly innovative artist who has released several superb duets.  Versatile trombonist Ray Anderson feels equally at home in traditional blues settings, New Orleans-style early jazz, and free improvisation.  Together, they make provocative music as demonstrated on the intriguing 12 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy.

Rooted in ancient cultures worldwide, the concept of spiritual alchemy entered modern psychology and spiritual practices through the work of Carl Jung. Jung used seven stages of the occult science of turning lead into gold as metaphors for integrating the various aspects of the mind.  Here, Perelman and Anderson use concepts from traditional alchemy to expand the stages from seven to twelve.

"Calcination," for instance, stars as a wistful duet with both Perelman and Anderson blowing long and languid lines within a darkly hued ambience. Then a playful melodic repartee ensues, brimming with whimsy.  The track closes on a high note. This engaging mix of joy and melancholy is present throughout.  "Dissolution" deftly fuses quiet mysticism with angst-ridden energetic passages.  Here and elsewhere, the dialogue hints at brass-band style with short, staccato phrases and sinewy, almost martial, rhythms.

There is a dramatic sense to these exchanges between the two musicians, with an undercurrent of spirituality. On "Projection," the conversation is lyrical and introspective.  The respective musings echo in the silent pauses that follow, building a zen-like serenity yet one tinged with simmering yearning. Perelman's solos have a hefty dose of the blues, while Anderson's often swing hard with boppish hints.   Peppering this contemplative piece are bursts of energetic dialogue that create delightful tension.  

This stimulating album closes with the poetic "Cibation."  Anderson's muted trombone exuberantly growls while Perelman's tenor lets out a warm, pensive melody.  The pair occasionally embraces delightful dissonance, which sounds like a natural progression of the more mellifluous passages.  The track concludes on a somber note.

Both Perelman and Anderson's oeuvres are replete with superb recordings, yet 12 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy stands out for its uniqueness and brilliance.  Whether the two artists were thinking of the individual steps of the transformation when they named each improvisation is hard to know.  Regardless, what they have created here is sublime and satisfying.