Denman Maroney Quintet: Umwelt

Pianist and composer Denman Maroney, renowned for pioneering 'hyperpiano' techniques—in which he plays the keys with one hand while bowing, sliding, and striking the piano strings with objects such as metal bars, rubber blocks, and plastic implements—and for his innovative temporal harmonies that layer multiple tempos simultaneously, presents his latest work, Umwelt. The title, German for the perceptive capacities of species, draws inspiration from science journalist Ed Yong's book An Immense World (Penguin Random House, 2022), which explores how understanding the sensory worlds of other creatures might deepen our appreciation of the planet and aid in its preservation.

Recorded on June 19—20, 2025, at La Buissonne in Pernes-les-Fontaines, France, the album features Maroney's quintet: Guillaume Orti on soprano and alto saxophones, Robin Fincker on tenor saxophone and B-flat clarinet, Scott Walton on bass, and Samuel Silvant on drums. This marks the third project Maroney has completed since relocating from New York to France in 2020, following a consistent core ensemble that emphasizes reedy textures and rhythmic intricacy.

Across nine original compositions, the band masterfully blends through-composed structures with improvisation, showcasing Maroney's enduring commitment to sonic exploration and temporal complexity. The album opens energetically with "Andale / Simplexity," a bustling piece that establishes an animated atmosphere. Maroney's dazzling piano work navigates understated sub-motifs with rapid runs, while Fincker's contributions add urgency. The group generates scintillating dialogues, polyrhythmic outbursts, and deliberately askew excursions, infusing the track with post-bop vitality and a magnetic primary theme.

"Iteratio" is built on cyclical piano and saxophone riffs paired with odd-metered yet harmonious interludes that evoke a Thelonious Monk-like lurch. The ensemble weaves complex passages within a chamber-jazz framework of riddles and mixed meters, enriched by Maroney's lucid harmonizations.

"Isotrope" shifts to an up-tempo vamp that evolves into an unorthodox bop premise, punctuated by hushed, reflective movements and Walton's streaming arco lines, which lend a pensive mood. In contrast, "Long Odds" unfolds as a gently rising, asymmetrical ballad, its subtle tensions building gradually.

The title track, "Umwelt," serves as a culmination: a series of fragments elaborately woven together through intertwining undercurrents, popping saxophone notes, Maroney's lower-register comping, and counterweight-like hooks that bind the disparate elements into a cohesive whole.

Throughout Umwelt, the quintet demonstrates exceptional interplay, balancing Maroney's forward-thinking concepts while creating a sonic landscape that invites repeated listening to uncover its layered depths. Maroney delivers a profound statement on perception, time, and musical possibility. By drawing from diverse influences while forging a distinctive path, he invites listeners to expand their own sensory horizons. This album stands as a compelling testament to his artistry and a rewarding addition to contemporary creative music.

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