MARTIN SPEAKE / ALEX MAGUIRE - Feathers
Pumpkin Records 011
Martin Speake (alto saxophone); Alex Maguire (piano)
Recorded 7th December 2016
There is an inevitability about this recording that suggests it was only a matter of time before these two musicians would perform together. Ironically they were both attendees at the renowned Barry Summer School in 1979 yet at that time their paths did not cross, but fate had it written that this oversight would be corrected at some later time.
The interim years have seen both musicians follow their own distinctive if very different paths. Alex Maguire has had a long and distinguished career as an improviser, citing as influences such as Evan Parker, Tony Oxley, Eric Dolphy and Cecil Taylor. He has studied with classical music with John Cage and Michael Finnissy along with kindred spirit, Howard Riley. As a improvising musician he is beholden to no one, straddling techniques from classical to kwela and the avant garde. With his innate sense of empathy with other irrespective of idiom have made an ideal musical partner in almost any setting. The altoist's path has also been diverse, with a commitment to his chosen instrument, he does not double on any other members of the saxophone family, and a love of melody which he is able to ensure is at the forefront of his playing in any company. So why this partnership has taken quite so long to materialise is perhaps somewhat of a mystery, but now that we have the record evidence of their work together we should be thankful that the two musicians have finally crossed paths.
There is a lot of music presented her, 144 minutes over two CDs, yet there is never a dull moment. Even more incredible too that music of such of quality was recorded in one marathon session in a single day. The music played by the duo is spun out in melodically, harmonically and rhythmically taut conversations that for the most part remain within conventional tonal settings. Speake is able to convey all that he wishes with out use of extended techniques and over blowing to produce multiphonics, but keeps things firmly rooted while still allowing the music to fly.
Maguire's playing is remarkable. Not content to merely accompany or follow the saxophone line, he pushes the music when required or alternatively commentates and generally cajoles ensuring a complete and equal two way dialogue. The result is music that is taken way beyond mere pleasantries, resulting in some deep conversational interaction that stretch beyond any obvious or easy path.
The music is cleverly served up, by accident or design, to give us two distinctly different aspects of the duos work over the course of the day in the studio. Disc One offers up the more gentle approach to their playing. More melodically centred series of improvisations that are allowed to flow and follow the whim of the music wherever that lead, as on the tantalising and sumptious 'Mellow Eightpence'. Disc Two is an altogether proposition, the alto and piano digging in and revelling in more discursive and hard hitting debate.
The sets are broken up with a two solo pieces from each musician, one a piece on each disc, but it is the duet improvisations that make this such a fascinating and enjoyable listen, and may serve as a way in to freely improvised music for those that have often found this type of creative playing a little daunting.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Pumpkin Records 011
Martin Speake (alto saxophone); Alex Maguire (piano)
Recorded 7th December 2016
There is an inevitability about this recording that suggests it was only a matter of time before these two musicians would perform together. Ironically they were both attendees at the renowned Barry Summer School in 1979 yet at that time their paths did not cross, but fate had it written that this oversight would be corrected at some later time.
The interim years have seen both musicians follow their own distinctive if very different paths. Alex Maguire has had a long and distinguished career as an improviser, citing as influences such as Evan Parker, Tony Oxley, Eric Dolphy and Cecil Taylor. He has studied with classical music with John Cage and Michael Finnissy along with kindred spirit, Howard Riley. As a improvising musician he is beholden to no one, straddling techniques from classical to kwela and the avant garde. With his innate sense of empathy with other irrespective of idiom have made an ideal musical partner in almost any setting. The altoist's path has also been diverse, with a commitment to his chosen instrument, he does not double on any other members of the saxophone family, and a love of melody which he is able to ensure is at the forefront of his playing in any company. So why this partnership has taken quite so long to materialise is perhaps somewhat of a mystery, but now that we have the record evidence of their work together we should be thankful that the two musicians have finally crossed paths.
There is a lot of music presented her, 144 minutes over two CDs, yet there is never a dull moment. Even more incredible too that music of such of quality was recorded in one marathon session in a single day. The music played by the duo is spun out in melodically, harmonically and rhythmically taut conversations that for the most part remain within conventional tonal settings. Speake is able to convey all that he wishes with out use of extended techniques and over blowing to produce multiphonics, but keeps things firmly rooted while still allowing the music to fly.
Maguire's playing is remarkable. Not content to merely accompany or follow the saxophone line, he pushes the music when required or alternatively commentates and generally cajoles ensuring a complete and equal two way dialogue. The result is music that is taken way beyond mere pleasantries, resulting in some deep conversational interaction that stretch beyond any obvious or easy path.
The music is cleverly served up, by accident or design, to give us two distinctly different aspects of the duos work over the course of the day in the studio. Disc One offers up the more gentle approach to their playing. More melodically centred series of improvisations that are allowed to flow and follow the whim of the music wherever that lead, as on the tantalising and sumptious 'Mellow Eightpence'. Disc Two is an altogether proposition, the alto and piano digging in and revelling in more discursive and hard hitting debate.
The sets are broken up with a two solo pieces from each musician, one a piece on each disc, but it is the duet improvisations that make this such a fascinating and enjoyable listen, and may serve as a way in to freely improvised music for those that have often found this type of creative playing a little daunting.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
