After releasing no less than 14 recordings in a decade (including four for Henry Rollins's 2.13.61 label)--and then calling it quits--pianist Matthew Shipp was called out of retirement to head up a new jazz series for Thirsty Ear. Once again teaming up with bassist William Parker, Shipp takes a detour from his more avant excursions and turns to more traditional fare.
"Gesture" begins with Shipp laying down a dense, percussive Middle Eastern-sounding bed that allows trumpeter Roy Campbell to explore and gradually build the nearly seven-minute piece. Throughout, Shipp plays with much more subtlety than on his previous releases; opting for linear melodies and supportive textures rather than downright force. On the nearly straight-up blues "Visions," he lets Campbell do the shouting while he carefully builds his solo into a series of tight-fingered clusters. "Frere Jacques" (Shipp has previously taken on "When Johnny comes Marching Home") begins with a circular, Terry Riley-styled treatment of the melody; but quickly mutates both rhythmically and melodically with Shipp rumbling on the piano's low end and Campbell fluttering and blowing out bursts of notes. This release will do well to satisfy old fans--and win some new ones.
All recordings courtesy of Thirsty Ear Records. ΓÇ£GestureΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£ProgressionΓÇ¥ written by M. Shipp; courtesy of Matt Shipp Music (ASCAP). ΓÇ£Prelude To A KissΓÇ¥ written by D. Ellington; courtesy of Famous Music Corporation/EMI Mills Music, Inc. (ASCAP).
