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Marilyn Crispell, Eddie Prévost, Harrison Smith: Concertoto
ByCrucially, coming at the end of the series, this gig found the trio completely played-in and in touch with one another. So, the opening track, "An Exploratory Introduction," is somewhat mistitled as all three immediately hit their stride without any tentative explorations or probing. They breeze through the track's eight minutes, playing together fluently and confidently; in particular, the interactions between Crispell and Smith demonstrate that the two work well together, sounding natural and relaxed as they trade phrases and ideas with one another.
As the track titles suggest, the music here is not based on compositions but is freely improvised by the trio. Nonetheless, the playing of all three players clearly reveals their histories playing jazz, free or otherwise; for instance, Prévost's drumming is far jazzier and rhythmic than his playing with AMM or on recent recordings with members of his improvisation workshop. The players all inject great variety into the music they play; in Smith's case, this is partly because he can switch between tenor and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet, but also because his improvising is bold and exploratory, as has been demonstrated in his many years with London Improvisers Orchestra.
Prévost and Crispell are varied in different ways to Smith, both being adept at subtly moving between featured player and support player which they both do here, always making fascinating listening whichever role they are in at the time. Across the concert's two continuous sets, each of the possible combinationstrio, duos, solosis featured at some point, but nothing ever sounds premeditated or cued in; instead, a dynamic balance is maintained between the three players, with each one being featured and contributing equally. This is not to suggest that when one player comes to the fore the other two necessarily subside; on the contrary, there are frequent climaxes when all three are playing flat-out together, creating a thrilling adrenalin rush. In contrast, there are passages of playexemplified by "A Meditative Interlude"in which all three are subdued at the same time, creating relaxing oases of pastoral calm. All things considered, this album is an object lesson in the art of the improviser and should be required listening for anyone who aspires to be an improvising musician.
Track Listing
An Exploratory Introduction; Main Part 1; A Meditative Interlude; Main Part 2; Finale.
Personnel
Additional Instrumentation
Harrison Smith: saxophones.
Album information
Title: Concertoto | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Matchless Recordings And Publishing
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