In Real Time: Blue Shift

Blueshift is a term employed by astronomers to describe an object that is moving toward another object or toward us. It is determined by measuring tiny shifts in the wavelengths of light coming from said object(s). This movement is not detectable by the naked eye but Blue Shift, the first adventure by the In Real Time trio of pianist Carol Liebowitz, bassist Adam Lane, and drummer Andrew Drury sure as hell make it heard.

Collectively the New York trio have, either as sidemen or students (is there any truly discernible difference?) played alongside a long list of free jazz advocates, among them being saxophonist Daniel Carter, post-punk bassoonist Claire de Brunner, theorist & composer Karlheinz Stockhausen / Ives Ensemble, multi- reedist Vinny Golia, Wadada Leo Smith and Jason Kao Hwang. So, the music, built from no preconceived notions, stumbles from the static at first, then emanates suspiciously, gaining momentum, like a stirring in the attic, the basement, or a barely-used guest room. Ramparts of riff adhere spontaneously then fall aside, allowing other more curious notions of spacial meter and metric shadow to bend the light.

Listeners enter Blue Shift with the turbulent cross rhythms of "Crosstown" but they can start anywhere within these forty-six frothy minutes and experience the absolute freedom and restlessness these three openly share. Liebowitz roils one second and calms the soul the next. Lane scratchily, menacingly opens "Curve" and holds forth as Liebowitz attempts to console but soon she too prowls as Drury whispers on his cymbals then propels the whole piece into cacophony. Like objects hurtling through space, moving towards us.