JOHN SURMAN - Invisible Threads
ECM 6711317
John Surman (soprano & baritone saxophones); Nelson Ayres (piano); Rob Waring (vibraphone & marimba)
Recorded July 2017
It's been five years since Surman's last ECM album, the solo set Saltash Bells, but I'm pleased to report that it is well worth the wait. All Surman's trademarks are present and correct, the agile baritone, the gently lyrical soprano and the sumptuous sound of the bass clarinet.
After the all solo set, Surman has once again sought the company of other has brought together a trio musicians from across the globe, and in doing so brought a fresh and invigorating ensemble sound to breathe life into his compositions.
Originally conceived as a duo project with Brazilian pianist, Nelson Ayres, with whom he had performed with Brazilian singer-musicologist-activist Marlui Miranda in which Surman met and played a few tunes as a duet with Ayres. Taken with the pianist's touch and musicianship the saxophonist , and both with a desire to further this musical relationship. When writing for a proposed duo album, Surman was hearing a third voice within the compositions, specifically the sound of the marimba and in particular the New York born-Oslo born mallet percussionist, Rob Waring.
Three distinctly different voices, from different cultural and musical backgrounds, superbly brought together by Surman's wonderful compositions (the only exception is 'Summer Song' written by Nelson Ayres) and woven into an ensemble that is fully of joy and melodies that are fresh and invigorating. Surman's soprano dances over the wonderfully titled 'Pitanga Pitomba', and the sonorous bass clarinet that opens up 'Within The Clouds'.
The saxophonist revisits one of his earlier compositions, 'Stoke Damerel' named for the Plymouth parish where Surman once lived, and that was previously part of the repertoire of the duo with organist Howard Moody) and beautifully re-imagined for bass clarinet, piano and marimba.
It is therefore incredulous to believe that the three musicians had only played together as a trio just days before the recording at the famous Rainbow Studio in Oslo, such is the empathy displayed. It is even more remarkable to note that two of the pieces were also conceived in the recording studio after recording John's tune 'Byndeed' and feeling that there was more to be gleaned from the harmonic content.
A couple of reviews published this month make references, even this early into 2018, about possible candidates for selection in Albums of the Year feature, and it must be said that Invisible Threads is makes a strong case for being included in this list.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 6711317
John Surman (soprano & baritone saxophones); Nelson Ayres (piano); Rob Waring (vibraphone & marimba)
Recorded July 2017
It's been five years since Surman's last ECM album, the solo set Saltash Bells, but I'm pleased to report that it is well worth the wait. All Surman's trademarks are present and correct, the agile baritone, the gently lyrical soprano and the sumptuous sound of the bass clarinet.
After the all solo set, Surman has once again sought the company of other has brought together a trio musicians from across the globe, and in doing so brought a fresh and invigorating ensemble sound to breathe life into his compositions.
Originally conceived as a duo project with Brazilian pianist, Nelson Ayres, with whom he had performed with Brazilian singer-musicologist-activist Marlui Miranda in which Surman met and played a few tunes as a duet with Ayres. Taken with the pianist's touch and musicianship the saxophonist , and both with a desire to further this musical relationship. When writing for a proposed duo album, Surman was hearing a third voice within the compositions, specifically the sound of the marimba and in particular the New York born-Oslo born mallet percussionist, Rob Waring.
Three distinctly different voices, from different cultural and musical backgrounds, superbly brought together by Surman's wonderful compositions (the only exception is 'Summer Song' written by Nelson Ayres) and woven into an ensemble that is fully of joy and melodies that are fresh and invigorating. Surman's soprano dances over the wonderfully titled 'Pitanga Pitomba', and the sonorous bass clarinet that opens up 'Within The Clouds'.
The saxophonist revisits one of his earlier compositions, 'Stoke Damerel' named for the Plymouth parish where Surman once lived, and that was previously part of the repertoire of the duo with organist Howard Moody) and beautifully re-imagined for bass clarinet, piano and marimba.
It is therefore incredulous to believe that the three musicians had only played together as a trio just days before the recording at the famous Rainbow Studio in Oslo, such is the empathy displayed. It is even more remarkable to note that two of the pieces were also conceived in the recording studio after recording John's tune 'Byndeed' and feeling that there was more to be gleaned from the harmonic content.
A couple of reviews published this month make references, even this early into 2018, about possible candidates for selection in Albums of the Year feature, and it must be said that Invisible Threads is makes a strong case for being included in this list.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
