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John Surman: Rarum XIII: Selected Recordings
Five of the thirteen selections present Surman overdubbing himself, particularly painful when he gets near a synthesizer. There is a looping, Bach-meets "New Age" synthesizer figure on "Edges of Illusion" that distracts from his brilliantly convoluted bass clarinet solo. It is surprising to think that a musician of Surman's sophistication could be seduced by synthesizer riffs worthy of Yanni.
But the high points are highly haunting. His pairing with the peerless Jack DeJohnette is totally absorbing. And his meshing with guitarist John Abercrombie on "Mountainscape VIII" is a vivid demonstration of that cooly abstract vein of Western European chamber jazz ECM has so devoutly documented for decades. Equally attractive is Surman's solid playing in the context of John Warren's "Brass Project."
No question about the uniqueness of Surman's vision: a kind of "birth-of-the-cool-celtic" romanticism, quite English, with a bittersweet, hymn-like lyricism. This could have been a better career overview without the overdubs, but we should be damned grateful for this showcase of his talent, synthesizer indulgence and all.
Track Listing
1. Druid's Circle, 2. Number Six, 3. Portrait of a Romantic, 4. Ogeda, 5. The Returning Exile, 6. Edge of Illusion, 7. The Buccaneers, 8. The Snooper, 9. Mountainscape VIII, Figfoot, 10. Piperspool, 11. Gone to the Dogs, 13. Stone Flower
Personnel
John Surman
saxophoneJohn Surman, Jack deJohnette, Paul Bley, Phil Oxley, Miroslav Vitous, John Aberchrombie, John Warren, Jon Christensen, and more.
Album information
Title: Rarum XIII: Selected Recordings | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: ECM Records