Ant Law: Life I Know

Ant Law's third album and the follow-up to Zero Sum World (Whirlwind, 2015), is an impressive affair. The eight compositions reflect some of the guitarist's influences and experiences, real or imaginary. Since moving to London in the 2000s, Law has acted as sideman to various leading musicians including Tim Garland and recorded on Partikel's third album, the critically acclaimed Counteraction (Whirlwind, 2017).

"Movies" opens the set with Law insinuating a coruscating solo which, at its apex, is redolent of the nuclear-powered axe work of the late Allan Holdsworth. By contrast, the aptly-titled "Searching" is, however, more reflective. The complex "Aquilinus," with its haunting introductory melody, sees Law exuberantly soloing again, with a robust tenor solo from guest star Garland.

"Introduction To Laurvin Glaslowe" features guest Asaf Sirkis on konnakol vocals which gracefully leads into "Laurvin Glaslowe," a souped-up version of the number first heard on Law's debut album Entanglement (33Jazz, 2013) and is compressed, slightly faster and more dynamic than its earlier incarnation. Sirkis makes a teasingly fleeting reappearance at the end of the track.

On the moodily labyrinthine "The Act Itself," Mike Chillingworth is heard on bass clarinet, which imparts a feeling of Bennie Maupin's memorable contribution to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (CBS, 1970). For the closer, the elegiac "Credits," Garland is heard again, contributing a florid solo, this time on soprano. Life I Know consolidates the talented Law's career and signposts seriously great things to come.