JIM BLOMFIELD TRIO - Strange Beauty (Every Way Ok)
Pig Records PIG 009)
Jim Blomfield (grand piano, electric piano, Prophet 6, sound design); Roshan 'Tosh' Wijetunge (double bass, synth bass, electronics, effects); Mark Whitlam (drums, glockenspiel, drum programming)
This is a wonderful follow up to the trio's earlier Wave Forms And Sea Changes set, and also marks a big step forward for the pianist both in terms of the compositions and use of electronics. This is also a very personal recording for Jim Blomfield as the album references dealing with autism, with which Jim has experienced first hand with his two sons. He describes this world with autism as '... like a kaleidoscopic torrent of chaotic, fascinating, unfathomable, messy, isolating, disturbing...', and this complex array of feelings seep into the music with Blomfield endeavouring to make sense of it all.
What this brings to the trio is a strong sense of connection with the music and the deeply emotional and conflicting feeling that autism brings with it. Often the compositions set a certain feeling or mood that gradually changes as the piece progresses, or a sudden change that will strike the listener like a bolt from the blue. There is no better example of how Blomfield uses this device than on 'Free Fall' that evolves from an ambient ballad into a freer and intense improvised section from the trio over which there emerges a dramatic synthesizer solo.
Elsewhere the trio obviously relish a strong groove to work with, but as with 'Lung Rebellion' they manage t keep it fluid, and are therefore not constrained by it. And it is this fluidity that keeps the music fresh and exciting. Electronics and post-production are present but never intrusive yet essential to the fabric of Blomfield's imaginative writing. 'Bits And Pieces' is driven along relentlessly by bass and drums with the sympathetic use of synthesizer and electronics creating a whole new sound world for the trio. The more lyrical side of the pianist's vision is expressed in a beautiful reading of Robert Schumann's piano piece 'Intermezzo', and in Blomfield's own superb 'Every Way OK'.
From start to finish this is an absorbing set that is a must have recording for anyone that is interested in contemporary piano trios at their very best.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Pig Records PIG 009)
Jim Blomfield (grand piano, electric piano, Prophet 6, sound design); Roshan 'Tosh' Wijetunge (double bass, synth bass, electronics, effects); Mark Whitlam (drums, glockenspiel, drum programming)
This is a wonderful follow up to the trio's earlier Wave Forms And Sea Changes set, and also marks a big step forward for the pianist both in terms of the compositions and use of electronics. This is also a very personal recording for Jim Blomfield as the album references dealing with autism, with which Jim has experienced first hand with his two sons. He describes this world with autism as '... like a kaleidoscopic torrent of chaotic, fascinating, unfathomable, messy, isolating, disturbing...', and this complex array of feelings seep into the music with Blomfield endeavouring to make sense of it all.
What this brings to the trio is a strong sense of connection with the music and the deeply emotional and conflicting feeling that autism brings with it. Often the compositions set a certain feeling or mood that gradually changes as the piece progresses, or a sudden change that will strike the listener like a bolt from the blue. There is no better example of how Blomfield uses this device than on 'Free Fall' that evolves from an ambient ballad into a freer and intense improvised section from the trio over which there emerges a dramatic synthesizer solo.
Elsewhere the trio obviously relish a strong groove to work with, but as with 'Lung Rebellion' they manage t keep it fluid, and are therefore not constrained by it. And it is this fluidity that keeps the music fresh and exciting. Electronics and post-production are present but never intrusive yet essential to the fabric of Blomfield's imaginative writing. 'Bits And Pieces' is driven along relentlessly by bass and drums with the sympathetic use of synthesizer and electronics creating a whole new sound world for the trio. The more lyrical side of the pianist's vision is expressed in a beautiful reading of Robert Schumann's piano piece 'Intermezzo', and in Blomfield's own superb 'Every Way OK'.
From start to finish this is an absorbing set that is a must have recording for anyone that is interested in contemporary piano trios at their very best.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
