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Simon Nabatov/Mark Dresser/Dominik Mahnig: Equal Poise
ByNabatov has worked with a number of trios, often with Mark Helias on bass. Tom Rainey filled the drummer seat on Tough Customer (Enja Records, 1993) and several other Nabatov outings. His work with Gerry Hemingway, Barry Altschul, Gerald Cleaver, Paul Motian and even Han Bennink are among the indications of the pianist's eclectic affinity for superb drummers. The style of Equal Poise is decidedly more overtly percussive than Nabatov's trio work with Motian and Rainey. Mahnig's style is heavier and more punctuated and brings out similar qualities in Nabatov's own playing.
Equal Poise opens with "Full Circles," lyrical but with sharp elbows that intermittently poke and prod the piece to abstraction. "Wind Up and Down" has Dresser coaxing an array of sounds from the bass, using bow and plucking and leading Nabatov to an diverse solo that alternates between delicate and pounding. Mahnig shows discretion as he pulls back in the face of his trio-mates more aggressive approach. "Sambar é Bom" and "Minor Force" are further along in their abstract explorations with fragments of melody loosely holding together an assortment of outside excursions. The closing "Lithe Moves" begins with Mahnig's versatile solo and concludes with Nabatov immersed in Cecil Taylor-like territory with torrents of notes and heavy, low register chords pounding their way through the ruckus.
Nabatov has been a bit of a chameleon throughout his career. He can be as lyrical as Bill Evans or as progressive an improviser as Alexander Hawkins, moving back and forth from hyper-kinetic percussive effects to impressionism. Not nearly as well known in the U.S. as he should be, Nabatov's long overdue recognition should be furthered with Equal Poise, an adventurous and edgy collection with high energy performances all around.
Track Listing
Full Circles; Wind Up and Down; Sambar é Bom; Minor Force; Lithe Moves.
Personnel
Simon Nabatov
pianoSimon Nabatov: piano; Mark Dresser: bass; Dominik Mahnig: drums.
Album information
Title: Equal Poise | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Leo Records