TRISH CLOWES - Ninety Degrees Gravity
Basho Records
Trish Clowes: tenor saxophone, vocals; Chris Montague: guitar; Ross Stanley: piano, Hammond organ; James Maddren: drums
Recorded February and August 2018 by Curtis Schwartz at Curtis Schwartz Studios, and track 6 recorded live on 11th February at the Jerome Hynes Theatre, Wexford.
This is the line-up from the 2017 ‘My Iris’ set and everything about them has grown in talent, confidence and ambition. This album’s title is inspired by the Denis Villeneuve film ‘Arrival’ and celestial influences are apparent on the lyrics to ‘Free to fall’ (‘sun and moon / they lead me on’) ‘Dustlings’ (referring to Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’ and the refrain, ‘we are stardust’). The idea of being descendants is also apparent in the tune ‘I.F.’ in which Stanley’s and Montague’s little sons contribute their voices. Clowes continues her celebration of jazz drummers (following Baby Dodds on the last album) with a dedication to Eric Gravatt (of Weather Report) as the opening track, ‘Eric’s tune’. On ‘Free to fall’, Stanley creates a sparkling outer-space sound on the Hammond organ over which Clowes sings, with beguiling innocence, words that she wrote following the bands 2017 tour about the trust that musicians have between each other. This develops into an extended saxophone break in which Clowes shows her considerable improvising skills. The spacey sounds on the Hammond feature heavily on ‘Lightning Les’, with Clowes taking front of stage with her sax solos and Montague showcasing a ‘western swing’ guitar sound. This track, recorded live, not only highlights how well the band work together but also their relentless exploration of tones, tempos and themes in their playing – an appreciative audience warmly responds to the piece.
Across the tracks, Clowes' saxophone, Montague’s guitar and Stanley’s piano all create sounds that feel individual and clearly defined, as well as blending seamlessly together. Much as I enjoyed the first ‘My Iris’ set, this one is even better and a definite contender for album of the year. Each track is so beautifully structured and so well played, that the whole set amply repays many repeated listens.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Basho Records
Trish Clowes: tenor saxophone, vocals; Chris Montague: guitar; Ross Stanley: piano, Hammond organ; James Maddren: drums
Recorded February and August 2018 by Curtis Schwartz at Curtis Schwartz Studios, and track 6 recorded live on 11th February at the Jerome Hynes Theatre, Wexford.
This is the line-up from the 2017 ‘My Iris’ set and everything about them has grown in talent, confidence and ambition. This album’s title is inspired by the Denis Villeneuve film ‘Arrival’ and celestial influences are apparent on the lyrics to ‘Free to fall’ (‘sun and moon / they lead me on’) ‘Dustlings’ (referring to Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’ and the refrain, ‘we are stardust’). The idea of being descendants is also apparent in the tune ‘I.F.’ in which Stanley’s and Montague’s little sons contribute their voices. Clowes continues her celebration of jazz drummers (following Baby Dodds on the last album) with a dedication to Eric Gravatt (of Weather Report) as the opening track, ‘Eric’s tune’. On ‘Free to fall’, Stanley creates a sparkling outer-space sound on the Hammond organ over which Clowes sings, with beguiling innocence, words that she wrote following the bands 2017 tour about the trust that musicians have between each other. This develops into an extended saxophone break in which Clowes shows her considerable improvising skills. The spacey sounds on the Hammond feature heavily on ‘Lightning Les’, with Clowes taking front of stage with her sax solos and Montague showcasing a ‘western swing’ guitar sound. This track, recorded live, not only highlights how well the band work together but also their relentless exploration of tones, tempos and themes in their playing – an appreciative audience warmly responds to the piece.
Across the tracks, Clowes' saxophone, Montague’s guitar and Stanley’s piano all create sounds that feel individual and clearly defined, as well as blending seamlessly together. Much as I enjoyed the first ‘My Iris’ set, this one is even better and a definite contender for album of the year. Each track is so beautifully structured and so well played, that the whole set amply repays many repeated listens.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
