East Axis: No Subject

As multi-reedist Scott Robinson, (Maria Schneider, Roscoe Mitchell) takes the horn chair from Allen Lowe, all is delivered and then some on No Subject, the second, reason-defying release from chameleonic improvisers pianist Matthew Shipp, bassist Kevin Ray, and drummer Gerald Cleaver. Turning to shorter forms and themes than the three lengthy group-thinks which determined 2021's restless narrative Cool With That (ESP), each member of East Axis integrally steers the protean charge to creation via his own curious instinct and will.

After the clangorous beauty of Cool With That, and each man's independent penchant for rancorous give and take, it may come as a surprise to many that these guys can speed-shift from near melodic collapse ("Decisions Have Been Made," "Metal Sounds," "Excuse My Absence") to a casual late night blue dance ("Sometime Tomorrow") or soft shoe swing ("I Like It Very Much") wherein Shipp, Cleaver, and Ray range from mad to mellow so innately as to possibly inspire a smooth two step across the dance floor.

Released through Brother Mister Productions, Christian McBride's Mack Avenue Music Group imprint, the twelve adventurous episodes on No Subject take on all shapes and logics with a brazen adherence to themes which are fertile with anticipation and continuity. Rife with expectancy and deliverance, the title track sprawls vertically from conception to completion. The clamorous give and take of the sixty second "Somebody Just Go In, Please" serves as a calling card. "At the Very Least" opens mournfully as Robinson's dark moody testimony slides over Shipp's imperial concussions, only to ease out on a petulant , though contemplative Shipp solo. This is how freedom plays.