SHIRLEY SMART / JAMES ARBEN - Entanglement
FMR Records FMRCD586-0520
Shirley Smart (cello); James Arben (tenor & baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, flute)
Recorded 25th June, 2019
This is an astonishing set of improvised dialogues between cellist, Shirley Smart, and multi-instrumentalist, James Arben that belies the fact that it is possible to create such varied and complete music, in the heat of the moment, with no prior discussion or pre-set plan of how the pieces will evolve. The duo describes the music on this album as "... dialogues and exploration of harmonic, rhythmic and timbral tension and resolution, created from bold experimental playing techniques and melodic discourse. The music draws on influences from jazz to Middle Eastern, folk and contemporary music.". However, this only goes part way to describing these wonderful improvisations.
Smart's interest in music of other traditions and cultures is never far from the surface and is wholeheartedly embraced by Arben. The music moves quickly, the duo immediately grasping what each other is about, and reacting accordingly. The flow of ideas and the speed in which they are picked up and allowed to develop is quite remarkable, with rhythms and melodies popping up in the least expected places. These are explored, sourced for inspiration and further ideas, and the pair move on.
This method of working relatively quickly keeps the music flowing in a most agreeable way. Smart and Arben are never short of anything interesting to say, and the music steers free of any longueurs which otherwise would allow interest to wane. Arben's multi-instrumentalism is never a distraction trying to work what instrument is being played at any one time, as the music is so finely wrought as to make it a redundant exercise. Instead, the music dictates what is required and switches between saxophones, bass clarinet and flute are often not immediately noticed as the music carries the listener along.
Having said that, there is some meaty sounding baritone on 'Goldlings', and the bass clarinet lines on 'Desert Rose' are captivating as they morph into a superb dialogue between cello and flute that is further developed on 'The Craic'. The closing improvisations provide continue to provoke and stimulate with an almost abrupt change in tack. After the friendly dialogue of the preceding pieces, 'Deconstruction' does just that, pulling at the edges of the fabric of the music with the two musicians looking at things from polar opposites. As the improvision concludes, they find more mutual ground, and order therefore is duly restored on the amicable 'Reconcilliation' that concludes this outstanding album.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
FMR Records FMRCD586-0520
Shirley Smart (cello); James Arben (tenor & baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, flute)
Recorded 25th June, 2019
This is an astonishing set of improvised dialogues between cellist, Shirley Smart, and multi-instrumentalist, James Arben that belies the fact that it is possible to create such varied and complete music, in the heat of the moment, with no prior discussion or pre-set plan of how the pieces will evolve. The duo describes the music on this album as "... dialogues and exploration of harmonic, rhythmic and timbral tension and resolution, created from bold experimental playing techniques and melodic discourse. The music draws on influences from jazz to Middle Eastern, folk and contemporary music.". However, this only goes part way to describing these wonderful improvisations.
Smart's interest in music of other traditions and cultures is never far from the surface and is wholeheartedly embraced by Arben. The music moves quickly, the duo immediately grasping what each other is about, and reacting accordingly. The flow of ideas and the speed in which they are picked up and allowed to develop is quite remarkable, with rhythms and melodies popping up in the least expected places. These are explored, sourced for inspiration and further ideas, and the pair move on.
This method of working relatively quickly keeps the music flowing in a most agreeable way. Smart and Arben are never short of anything interesting to say, and the music steers free of any longueurs which otherwise would allow interest to wane. Arben's multi-instrumentalism is never a distraction trying to work what instrument is being played at any one time, as the music is so finely wrought as to make it a redundant exercise. Instead, the music dictates what is required and switches between saxophones, bass clarinet and flute are often not immediately noticed as the music carries the listener along.
Having said that, there is some meaty sounding baritone on 'Goldlings', and the bass clarinet lines on 'Desert Rose' are captivating as they morph into a superb dialogue between cello and flute that is further developed on 'The Craic'. The closing improvisations provide continue to provoke and stimulate with an almost abrupt change in tack. After the friendly dialogue of the preceding pieces, 'Deconstruction' does just that, pulling at the edges of the fabric of the music with the two musicians looking at things from polar opposites. As the improvision concludes, they find more mutual ground, and order therefore is duly restored on the amicable 'Reconcilliation' that concludes this outstanding album.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
