Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tyshawn Sorey: That/Not

139

Tyshawn Sorey: That/Not

By

Sign in to view read count
Tyshawn Sorey: That/Not
While drummer Tyshawn Sorey has demonstrated his talent in many contexts, this is the first set of recordings dedicated to his own compositions. In the shadows of several established styles of improvisation/composition but beholden to none, it is one of the most shockingly bold debuts imaginable.

The title of the opening piece, "Leveled, says it all. It is as if the myriad traditions that inform these moments of energy-suffused introspection have quietly, gently, laid waste to the past that spawned them. Cymbal strokes emerge to decay just as quickly, piano pitches and clusters loom luminously and trombone tones are bent in a near-void that strips them, almost completely, of tradition. Almost, as the "Template series affords a glance backwards through the unlikely but effective medium of the phonograph; well-worn vinyl surface noise permeates, while never supplanting, the slow-faded snatches of sparse semi-groove and quasi-drone.



Sorey's sometimes malleted drums and deep cymbal rumbles anchor what might be a series of studio-created subtle sound experiments. Whether or no, the series connects the vast work, spread evenly over the two discs. They provide the most readily accessible moments, evoking convention through a constant sheen of subversion. The longer works conjure vast silences and force attention to minute detail, as with the stunningly slow and breathtakingly recorded 43-minute "Permutations ; revel in its overtones, the slow beats and swells that define its constantly morphing contours.

This is not to imply that the disc is all shadow and near-silent subtlety. The opening gesture of the first quartet piece—with Ben Gerstein (trombone), Corey Smythe (piano) and Thomas Morgan (bass)—sports an astonishing trombone crescendo, rising from nothing to earsplitting proportions. Sorey's occasional thwacks, well-placed and startlingly effective, keep attention from wandering too far into any one timbre or moment. However, these gestures are, in fact, subservient to an aesthetic that demonstrates remarkable group restraint and an admirable willingness to listen and communicate accordingly. Solo contributions and collectivity merge, each voiding the other, so that as the impressionistic piano chords of "Commentary fade, the sense of having journeyed is as overwhelming as it is inspiring.

Track Listing

CD1: Leveled; Template I; Sympathy; Permutations for Solo Piano; Seven Pieces for Trombone Quartet; Template II. CD2: Sacred and Profane; Template III; Four Duos; Cell Block; That's a Blues,Right?; Template IV; Commentary.

Personnel

Ben Gerstein: trombone (CD1#1-2, CD1#5-6, CD2#1-3, CD2#5-6); Corey Smythe: piano (CD1#2-6, CD2#2, CD2#4-7), wurlitzer organ (CD2#3); Thomas Morgan: bass (CD1#1-3, CD1#5-6, CD2#1-6); Tyshawn Sorey: drums (CD1#1-3, CD1#5-6, CD2#1-6), piano (CD1#1, CD2#3).

Album information

Title: That/Not | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Firehouse 12 Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.