ANDREW McCORMACK - Solo
Ubuntu - UBU0059
Andrew McCormack - piano
Pianist McCormack has established an enviable reputation as a jazz pianist ever since the BBC recognised his originality and talent to award him the 2006 Rising Star Award and Kyle Eastwood signed him up for his quintet. Since then there have been a string of projects, ranging from trio albums, orchestral commissions and some highly regarded duo albums with Jason Yarde, as well as numerous sideman appearances, but his recent activity with his Graviton project has moved away from more traditional forms and into what he himself describes as ‘prog-rock math-jazz’. This is his album of solo performances and gives us a chance to see what the results are when there’s only McCormack, his musicality and a Steinway Model D Concert Grand involved. McCormack plants a foot firmly in the jazz camp with a version of Monks’ ‘Wee See’ that engages thoroughly with the master’s rhythmic quirks, and the standards repertoire is represented by a reading of ‘I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me’ that owes very little to Armstrong (or Dean Martin), quite a bit to Bill Evans, something to the 20th classical tradition, and a substantial amount to McCormack’s own restless imagination. All the other compositions are originals and have a storytelling element to them that perhaps derives from McCormack’s classical influences, artfully blended with more identifiable jazz elements: ‘Crystal Glass’ has echoes of Chick Corea’s fleet right hand against dark, brooding chords, interspersed with chiming Prokofiev figures, and ‘Nomad’ definitely suggests a journey through contrasting terrain. The moods is predominantly serious and intense but McCormack isn’t averse to letting a lyrical light break through the clouds - there’s a huge amount of unobtrusive craftsmanship in evidence that never obscures the emotional intent, and his sure, accurate touch and precise control of dynamics ensures that every piece is beautifully realised. An impressive achievement.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Ubuntu - UBU0059
Andrew McCormack - piano
Pianist McCormack has established an enviable reputation as a jazz pianist ever since the BBC recognised his originality and talent to award him the 2006 Rising Star Award and Kyle Eastwood signed him up for his quintet. Since then there have been a string of projects, ranging from trio albums, orchestral commissions and some highly regarded duo albums with Jason Yarde, as well as numerous sideman appearances, but his recent activity with his Graviton project has moved away from more traditional forms and into what he himself describes as ‘prog-rock math-jazz’. This is his album of solo performances and gives us a chance to see what the results are when there’s only McCormack, his musicality and a Steinway Model D Concert Grand involved. McCormack plants a foot firmly in the jazz camp with a version of Monks’ ‘Wee See’ that engages thoroughly with the master’s rhythmic quirks, and the standards repertoire is represented by a reading of ‘I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me’ that owes very little to Armstrong (or Dean Martin), quite a bit to Bill Evans, something to the 20th classical tradition, and a substantial amount to McCormack’s own restless imagination. All the other compositions are originals and have a storytelling element to them that perhaps derives from McCormack’s classical influences, artfully blended with more identifiable jazz elements: ‘Crystal Glass’ has echoes of Chick Corea’s fleet right hand against dark, brooding chords, interspersed with chiming Prokofiev figures, and ‘Nomad’ definitely suggests a journey through contrasting terrain. The moods is predominantly serious and intense but McCormack isn’t averse to letting a lyrical light break through the clouds - there’s a huge amount of unobtrusive craftsmanship in evidence that never obscures the emotional intent, and his sure, accurate touch and precise control of dynamics ensures that every piece is beautifully realised. An impressive achievement.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
