Triple Double

Triple Double by Tomas Fujiwara.
Bandcamp Link: Triple Double
Two Drummers, Tomas Fujiwara and Gerald Cleaver; Two Guitarists, Mary Halvorson and Brandon Seabrook; Two Brass, Taylor Ho Bynum and Ralph Alessi. Triple Double.

I wasn’t sure where this album would fall. Most of these musicians have spent some time with Anthony Braxton and many have made some pretty “abstract” music on their own.

However, while it is driving and has some dramatic passages, this is a fairly accessible album, utilizing conventional harmonic and rhythmic structures. Though the lack of keyboards and bass does allow the melodic instruments, (including the guitarists here, as both of them stick to lines rather than chords,) to float over the propulsive rhythms and express themselves in various configurations, duo and solo.

I especially enjoyed “For Alan”, in which Fujiwara incorporates some recordings of someone explaining improvisation to a child.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #TomasFujiwara #GeraldCleaver #MaryHalvorson #BrandonSeabrook #TaylorHoBynum #RalphAlessi #TripleDouble

2017-05-26 Art of the Improv Trio Volume 5

The Art of The Improv Trio Volume 5. Gerald Cleaver, Joe Morris, and Ivo Perelman.

I enjoyed Joe Morris’ playing, but I didn’t fully appreciate his perspectives until I read an interview with him in a collection of interviews William Parker did with improvisors for RogueArt. Anyway, Morris and Perelman seem to have a real connection and their interplay on this album is fantastic to listen to.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #GeraldCleaver #JoeMorris #IvoPerelman

2017-05-25 Art of the Improv Trio Volume 4

The Art of The Improv Trio Volume 4. Gerald Cleaver, William Parker, and Ivo Perelman.

Mr Perelman must have had three espressos before this set, because he is out in front, right out of the gate. After a few failed attempts to connect with Perelman, Cleaver and Parker establish a dialogue between themselves and carry on. Perelman eventually realizes he’s not in sync with the rest of the trio, and tries to connect with what Parker and Cleaver are doing, but never finds a way in. I found myself wishing I could turn off Perelman’s Sax and just listen to the Bass and Drums as a duo.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #GeraldCleaver #WilliamParker #IvoPerelman

2017-05-24 Art of the Improv Trio Volume 3

The Art of The Improv Trio Volume 3. Gerald Cleaver, Ivo Perelman, and Matthew Shipp.

The “Jazziest” and, (for me,) most immediately enjoyable of these recordings, so far. The interplay between Cleaver and Perelman is a delight to listen to.

#TodaysCommuteSoundtrack #GeraldCleaver #IvoPerelman #MatthewShipp