WILL GLASER - Climbing In Circles
Ubuntu Music
Will Glaser - drums; Matthew Herd - saxophone; Liam Noble - piano
Will Glaser has established a reputation as one of the most compellingly musical percussionists on the busy London jazz scene, lending his quick ears, empathetic touch and impressive chops to improve any number of situations from avant-garde to swinging. This is the third instalment of his Climbing In Circles project: the initial offering was a series of duets with his former pianist Noble, with Glasers’ old Guildhall pal Matthew Herd joining for number two. The chemistry was so evident that they’ve returned with another offering mixing freeform explorations, original compositions and a satisfyingly off-kilter selection of standards. ‘Mood Indigo’ and ‘I’m An Old Cowhand’ are handled like much-loved favourite toys, with a mixture of boisterous familiarity and gentle reverence, even as the handling itself causes them to fray and disintegrate around the edges and assume new forms. Noble is a master at skating over the frail interface between lyricism and abrasive freedom and his unique musicality shines in this company. ‘Mopti’ has a minor-key afro-jazz 12/8 lope to it, with Herd soaring above and Glaser making the drumkit sing: ‘Fish Pillows’ is all atmosphere and textures: ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ has an Ornette-ish melody over tumbling free-time percussion, while ‘Lonely’ is a stunningly realised ballad, with all three players combining their palette to create a swooning depth of colour and texture. The ominous ‘Song For The Snake Man’ and the reflective ‘The Magician Longs To See The Master’ close the set: unique, highly visually evocative music from three masters at work.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Ubuntu Music
Will Glaser - drums; Matthew Herd - saxophone; Liam Noble - piano
Will Glaser has established a reputation as one of the most compellingly musical percussionists on the busy London jazz scene, lending his quick ears, empathetic touch and impressive chops to improve any number of situations from avant-garde to swinging. This is the third instalment of his Climbing In Circles project: the initial offering was a series of duets with his former pianist Noble, with Glasers’ old Guildhall pal Matthew Herd joining for number two. The chemistry was so evident that they’ve returned with another offering mixing freeform explorations, original compositions and a satisfyingly off-kilter selection of standards. ‘Mood Indigo’ and ‘I’m An Old Cowhand’ are handled like much-loved favourite toys, with a mixture of boisterous familiarity and gentle reverence, even as the handling itself causes them to fray and disintegrate around the edges and assume new forms. Noble is a master at skating over the frail interface between lyricism and abrasive freedom and his unique musicality shines in this company. ‘Mopti’ has a minor-key afro-jazz 12/8 lope to it, with Herd soaring above and Glaser making the drumkit sing: ‘Fish Pillows’ is all atmosphere and textures: ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ has an Ornette-ish melody over tumbling free-time percussion, while ‘Lonely’ is a stunningly realised ballad, with all three players combining their palette to create a swooning depth of colour and texture. The ominous ‘Song For The Snake Man’ and the reflective ‘The Magician Longs To See The Master’ close the set: unique, highly visually evocative music from three masters at work.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
