Live

This is an impressive document of a tour of the U.K., including January 2003 recordings from Brighton and Bath. The unusual line-up includes several free jazz/free improv veterans (Evan Parker on sax, Han Bennink on drums, William Parker on bass, and Matthew Shipp on electric keyboards), Jason Pierce, aka "J. Spaceman" of Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized on guitar, and Spring Heel Jack (Coxon & Wales), the electronica duo.

Taken that combination of elements, it is not at all surprising that a common point would be the electric Miles, and that is where this disc begins, with a four-note theme from "In a Silent Way," to be specific. Pierce plays the John McLaughlin role of course. Evan Parker, on tenor, sounds much more like "A Love Supreme"-era Coltrane than on his own recordings. As through most of the 75 minutes, the electronica is not foregrounded, though it does emerge periodically to play a more focal role. Although the organization of the music is not made explicit, it seems that one of the reasons this ensemble could go under the moniker "Spring Heel Jack" is that Coxon & Wales serve as orchestrators or arrangers, setting up pre-arranged contexts for the other players. In other words, it seems to me that the improvisation is not total, but rather takes place within a structure. The Miles piece gradually morphs into an up-tempo section with someone playing what sounds like a stritch alongside Parker's sax. I suspect it's probably the other Parker, though he is credited only with bass, and he is probably the flute player in later sections as well. A lullaby follows, which is interrupted by electronic glitches. The glitches emerge into a section with vocal samples, and the first set ends with the return of the lullaby.

The second set, one continuous track, is actually two separate performances. The first opens with 8 minutes of energetic bass/percussion duet. Sax, guitar and electric piano enter, and the piece morphs into a funky number with walking bass and the closest we'll probably ever come to hearing Evan Parker play R&B. After applause and a break, the last 20 minutes is the "Spiritualized" section, a tragic dirge with a repeating, descending minor-key keyboard pattern. Sax and guitar scrawl chaotically over this pattern in a gradual crescendo, and then subside, replaced by a flute.

This live record follows two previous studio albums from the new free improv version of Spring Heel Jack (MASSES in 2001 and AMASSED in 2002, both also on Shipp's Thirsty Ear label). Somehow this project slipped past me until now. I'm impressed, though I have to say I think it would sound as good or better if the electronica was removed. It's a worthy fusion, though, and I certainly hope it brings new listeners from the electronica side over to the realm of free jazz/free improv! Back in the mid-'90s when SHJ was putting out bass&drum albums I listened to a lot of electronica, and after the initial fascination wore off, I decided that what was missing was real live interaction of actual musicians. This is an example of moving in that direction. If you're coming from the electronica side and you like this, I encourage you to seek out Evan Parker's Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, with three ECM discs -- TOWARD THE MARGINS and DRAWN INWARD, and MEMORY/VISION (see my reviews of all three). It's real-time improv combining a free improv ensemble of long-standing with computer processers -- fantastic!

On a personnel note, my understanding is that Pierce was brought on board this project via Coxon & Wales having produced an early Spiritualized album (and his interest in free improv). It's interesting that Pete "Sonic Boom" Kember, also of the Spacemen 3, has since formed a group called EAR -- Experimental Audio Research -- which has included Eddie Provost of the group AMM, 1960s free improv pioneers along with Evan Parker. Since Parker and Prevost are mates, perhaps they can bring about a Spacemen reconciliation and reunion on the basis of free improvisation.....

i am not as knowledgable as the reviewer below, but i will tell you this: this is a gorgeous album. so much like Miles Davis' In a Silent Way. if i had to pick only a handful of albums to bring with me to a desert island, this would be in there. If you like Pharoah Sanders' The Creator has a Master Plan. Or if you're into Medeski Martin and Wood, but want to start getting into more sophisticated or at least more complex music, give this listen. i think you'll be hooked. seemlessly fuses electronic, experimental and free improv music traditions.

-voodooartist

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars