VIJAY IYER / WADADA LEO SMITH - A Cosmic Rhythm Within Each Stroke
ECM 476 9956
Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet); Vijay Iyer (piano fender rhodes, electronics)
Recorded October 2015
Since his arrival on the music scene as a leader with “Memorophilia”(Asian Improv, 1995) Pianist Vijay Iyer has been one of the most eclectic musicians with interests in jazz, classical, and electronic music, often merging them together. Since he joined ECM records, he has made a string of diverse, acclaimed albums, most recently with “Break Stuff” (ECM, 2015) featuring his trio. Iyer developed an affinity for trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s playing from hearing tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe’s “The Flam” (Black Saint, 1976) and Smith’s own classic “Divine Love” (ECM, 1979) with the good fortune to join his idol as a member of Wadada’s Golden Quartet in 2005. Iyer and Smith’s new“ A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” is their first duo recording together and illustrates a very special camaraderie in the manner in which they shape sound.
The centerpiece of the recording is a 47 minute plus suite entitled “A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for their exhibition featuring the work of Indian line artist Nasreen Mohamedi. Her art and writings inspired Iyer to create music that despite breathtaking improvisation is very compositionally focused. Wadada Leo Smith is quite simply astonishing throughout the piece in his command of the horn, his tone is instantly recognizable, and his playing here is both cerebral and muscular. Long lines on the first movement “All Becomes Alive”, contrast elsewhere with his cutting swathes of sound on “Labyrinth” that combined with Iyer’s sharp, bouncing comping, conjure the intricate line work found in some of Mohamedi’s drawings. Smith’s use of extended techniques, multi-hued mute employment and occasionally violent outbursts on “Uncut Emeralds”, seek to broaden the scope of sound even further. Iyer’s thoughtful melodic soloing is enhanced by a subtle bed of electronics, which create a springboard for both trumpet and piano improvisations contained within “The Empty Mind Receives”, and “A Divine Courage”. The synth bass chord progression of the latter piece provides a rising tension as Smith’s long tones and lines build in intensity that the pianist is immediately able to dissolve into relative calm once the bassline fades, while piano supports Smith’s plaintive melodic statement. Iyer’s use of shimmering Fender Rhodes electric piano on the final movement “Notes on water” is the perfect backdrop for his trumpet to glide upon blasting powerful phrases. The proceedings close with a fitting coda, “Marian Anderson” composed by Smith, summarizing everything the duo does so well.
Overall, “A Cosmic Rhythm Within Each Stroke” is a beautiful effort that showcases the complete communication that is found in duo playing. The ease of that communication results in the unit becoming a single entity that reveals itself quite subtly over many hearings, its melodic content slowly rising to the surface with careful listening. “A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” is a fascinating and thought provoking entry in the endlessly creative universe of Vijay Iyer.
Reviwed by CJ Shearn
ECM 476 9956
Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet); Vijay Iyer (piano fender rhodes, electronics)
Recorded October 2015
Since his arrival on the music scene as a leader with “Memorophilia”(Asian Improv, 1995) Pianist Vijay Iyer has been one of the most eclectic musicians with interests in jazz, classical, and electronic music, often merging them together. Since he joined ECM records, he has made a string of diverse, acclaimed albums, most recently with “Break Stuff” (ECM, 2015) featuring his trio. Iyer developed an affinity for trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s playing from hearing tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe’s “The Flam” (Black Saint, 1976) and Smith’s own classic “Divine Love” (ECM, 1979) with the good fortune to join his idol as a member of Wadada’s Golden Quartet in 2005. Iyer and Smith’s new“ A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” is their first duo recording together and illustrates a very special camaraderie in the manner in which they shape sound.
The centerpiece of the recording is a 47 minute plus suite entitled “A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for their exhibition featuring the work of Indian line artist Nasreen Mohamedi. Her art and writings inspired Iyer to create music that despite breathtaking improvisation is very compositionally focused. Wadada Leo Smith is quite simply astonishing throughout the piece in his command of the horn, his tone is instantly recognizable, and his playing here is both cerebral and muscular. Long lines on the first movement “All Becomes Alive”, contrast elsewhere with his cutting swathes of sound on “Labyrinth” that combined with Iyer’s sharp, bouncing comping, conjure the intricate line work found in some of Mohamedi’s drawings. Smith’s use of extended techniques, multi-hued mute employment and occasionally violent outbursts on “Uncut Emeralds”, seek to broaden the scope of sound even further. Iyer’s thoughtful melodic soloing is enhanced by a subtle bed of electronics, which create a springboard for both trumpet and piano improvisations contained within “The Empty Mind Receives”, and “A Divine Courage”. The synth bass chord progression of the latter piece provides a rising tension as Smith’s long tones and lines build in intensity that the pianist is immediately able to dissolve into relative calm once the bassline fades, while piano supports Smith’s plaintive melodic statement. Iyer’s use of shimmering Fender Rhodes electric piano on the final movement “Notes on water” is the perfect backdrop for his trumpet to glide upon blasting powerful phrases. The proceedings close with a fitting coda, “Marian Anderson” composed by Smith, summarizing everything the duo does so well.
Overall, “A Cosmic Rhythm Within Each Stroke” is a beautiful effort that showcases the complete communication that is found in duo playing. The ease of that communication results in the unit becoming a single entity that reveals itself quite subtly over many hearings, its melodic content slowly rising to the surface with careful listening. “A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke” is a fascinating and thought provoking entry in the endlessly creative universe of Vijay Iyer.
Reviwed by CJ Shearn
