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Alexander Hawkins: Song Unconditional

By Mark Corroto
June 19, 2025
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Heraclitus once said, "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." That may be true for most of us, but it does not quite apply to the music of pianist Alexander Hawkins. Despite navigating many musical rivers—trios, quartets, large ensembles, and collaborations with visionaries like Nicole Mitchell, Evan Parker, Anthony Braxton and Louis Moholo-Moholo —Hawkins remains unmistakably himself. His identity as an artist holds steady, even as the settings shift.

Song Unconditional marks his third solo recording, following Iron Into Wind (Pears from an Elm) (Intakt, 2019) and Song Singular (Babel, 2014). Each release reflects both a refinement of his technique and an evolution of his musical voice. As with his previous solo outings, Hawkins favors brevity and precision—there are no indulgences here. Yet within these compact compositions lies a wealth of emotion and depth.

His playing evokes the elegant clarity of John Lewis (of the Modern Jazz Quartet) infused with the exploratory spirit of Geri Allen. Hawkins bridges the worlds of modern jazz and contemporary classical music, constantly engaging in a dynamic dialogue between his left and right hands. In Song Unconditional, he distills his influences into a cohesive, intimate, and expressive statement, one that confirms his singular place in today's creative music landscape.

Track Listing

Polyphonic Song; Her Heart Carries Gold to Match Her Eyes; Song of Infinite Variations; Song Bewildered; Satin Antiphonal; Song Symmetrical; Two Trees Equal; Song of Balance; Crinkle, Crinkle; Song of Work Still To Do; Song of Interdependence; Song in Orbit; Song of a Quiet Ecstatic.

Personnel

Alexander Hawkins

piano

Additional Instrumentation

Alexander Hawkins: piano

Album information

Title: Song Unconditional | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Intakt

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