New releases from Robert Forster, Self Esteem, and Arve Henriksen
Latest editorial
Album reviews with Chris Searle: November 28, 2022
New releases from Ches Smith, Brandon Lopez/Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey and John Taylor Sextet
SIMON PARSONS is gripped by a psychological thriller that questions the the power of the state over vulnerable individuals
KEN COCKBURN assesses the art of Ian Hamilton Finlay for the experience of warfare it incited and represents
The bard gives us advance notice of his upcoming medieval K-pop releases
GORDON PARSONS steps warily through the pessimistic world view of an influential US conservative
HENRY BELL takes issue with the assertion that basic income is a remedy for poverty when it doesn’t address the inbuilt inequality of capitalism
RON JACOBS welcomes an investigation of the murders of US leftist activists that tells the story of a solidarity movement in Chile
Ches Smith
Interpret It Well
Pyroclastic Records
★★★★★
THIS album is a sizzler. With percussionist Ches Smith, pianist Craig Taborn, Mat Maneri playing viola and guest guitarist Bill Frisell, it’s a melange of full-blooded musicianship, on-the-cusp melody and ever-inventive improvisation that frees its listeners’ spirits to make their own interpretations after months of creative confinement.
The music’s “open sections told their own stories, revealing unearthed dimensions,” says Brooklyn-based Smith. Taborn’s pianism is like universal drums — listen to the title track — so much so that he and Smith are like two drummers drumming.
More from this author
CHRIS SEARLE wallows in an evening of high class improvised jazz, and recommends upcoming highlights in May
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to drummer Steve Noble
CHRIS SEARLE interviews saxophonist Chris Williams about the extraordinary electro-acoustic album LEDLEY - a bold fusion of Jazz, football, and community spirit
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Rwanda-born jazz vocalist INEZA
Similar stories
STEVE JOHNSON, CHRIS SEARLE and TONY BURKE review new releases from Steve Knightley, Jupiter & Okwess, Jason Palmer, Lisa Knapp and Gerry Driver, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata, Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey, Dan Sealey, Simin Tande, PAZ
New releases from Miguel Zenon, Angelica Sanchez/Chad Taylor, Paul Dunmall
James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Art Tatum Trio and Kevin Figes
KEVIN BRYAN, CHRIS SEARLE and TONY BURKE review new releases from Dickey Betts, Little Johnny England, Greenslade, Benet McLean, Sam Newbould, Sofia Jernberg/Alexander Hawkins, compilation: Walking To New Orleans, compilation: This Is Goldwax: 1964-1968, Jack Bruce