Ivo Perelman / Aruán Ortiz / Ramón López: Ephemeral Shapes

For over three decades innovative saxophonist Ivo Perelman has been a stalwart of the creative music scene. Each addition to his impressive, and uniformly superb, discography is a unique expression of spontaneity that bears his indelible stylistic mark. One of the reasons for Perelman's success is his uncanny ability to find like-minded collaborators. The introspective Ephemeral Shapes is no exception in all of the above. An eight-part improvised suite finds Perelman in the company of two equally ingenious musicians: the Spanish drummer Ramón López and Cuban pianist Aruán Ortiz.

The sparse bars and beats opening "Shape 1" set the album's contemplative tone. Perelman trades brief wails and breathy lines with Ortiz's percussive chords and Lopez's rumbling drums. Hence a dramatic ambience ensues that serves as a perfect backdrop for the energetic repartee that follows. Ortiz lets loose a series of crisp and crystalline phrases that are simultaneously moving and thoughtful. Perelman's solo is a poetic musing that is mellifluous even as it embraces dissonance. Lopez coaxes out of his kit harmonic colors as well as thunderous polyrhythms and seamlessly matches his colleagues' fervor as he goes in and out of the spotlight.

Throughout the recording, the members of the trio weave a vibrant and organic sonic tapestry that changes and transforms with each track. "Shape 2," for instance, is serene and wistful like a prayer. In contrast "Shape 3" is more angular. On it Perelman's muscular tenor meanders around Ortiz's resonant keys and Lopez's explosive bursts. Overall, however, the vibe remains melancholic and the atmosphere pensive. Perelman blows languidly over Ortiz' chiming notes and Lopez's hushed rustle thus building "Shape 6"'s main theme. The melody that Perelman plays is warm and lyrical with hints of angst while Lopez and Ortiz deftly incorporate silent pauses into their contributions to this abstract, three-way conversation.

The stimulating and up-tempo "Ephemeral" concludes this captivating session on a high note and with passion balanced with brilliance. The ensemble, with seamless camaraderie, crafts a fiery and thrilling finale for this superlative release. Even after more than 100 works as a leader Perelman continues to captivate with his originality and artistic vision. His cooperative spirit enhances his and his colleagues' imaginative forays into provocative extemporizations.