Ivo Perelman / Matthew Shipp: Fruition

After 26 years years of recording in duo together, is it possible now to decode the music of Ivo Perelman and Matthew Shipp? The word "decode" is used here because their efforts, nearly all freely improvised, are a musical language the two musicians have created themselves. Like the Steve Lacy/Mal Waldron duos, their sound together is instantly recognizable. In contrast though, where Lacy and Waldron often began with the familiar music of Thelonious Monk, the Brazilian-born Perelman and the American Shipp create a unique lingua franca.

Fruition is their 18th release as a duo, among nearly 45 other larger ensemble sessions the tenor saxophonist and pianist have recorded together. As a general rule, if you are unfamiliar with a musician's previous output, you should begin with their earliest works to understand the music. Not necessary here though, as this release is a perfect entry point. A bit of explanation though might be helpful. Both musicians have a deep knowledge of classical, popular music and jazz. Their study has progressed to the point where they have internalized and subsequently discarded conventional forms, creating a new language. Perelman favors an upper-register attack and Shipp delivers block chords and a dancing approach to the keyboard.

Traditional jazz listeners might balk at the sound, but of all people, children (and perhaps you, the adventurist listener) may have the requisite open mindedness—and thereby the ability—to embrace these sounds. The eleven tracks flow and float interwoven sounds which act like a familiar conversation, one where Shipp or Perelman can finish each other's thought. The gentleness of tracks like "Nine" "Fourteen," and "One" are nicely contrasted by Perelman's chitter attack of "Ten" as Shipp focuses on working both ends of his piano. His left hand pounds out low notes while the upper register of the saxophone is traced by his right hand. The music quite often can conjure a visual component. Even those of us without synesthesia may form an optical impression from these illustrious sounds.