CD Review: Synergy - Nine Tales of the Pendulum

Mick Coady (bs); David Binney (alt); Michael Buckley (ten); Ivo Neame (pno); Sean Carpio (dms).

(Review by Lance)

Led by Irish bassist Mick Coady this is undoubtedly from the cutting edge of contemporary jazz - as Jazz Journal described it. However, it still retains a sense of form and remains within the bounds of sanity. Binney is an outstanding alto player, the American is rightly considered a giant of the saxophone world and he backs those claims up with ease. Not that his frontline partner Buckley is in anyway overshadowed he holds his own in the ensembles and solos with intense feeling. Neame we've known about for a long time as an exceptional piano talent capable of dealing with any situation. Coady and fellow Irishman Carpio handle the engine room chores expertly.

Coady though isn't' only a fine bass player, he's a composer of great merit and a fascinating character to boot.

He has travelled the world in a quest to quench his thirst for learning about various genres of music. He's been to India, China and Thailand learning from the masters of these indigenous musics. He also studied at Berklee. Absorbing and adapting this vast experience into a musical melting pot has allowed him to take motifs, rhythms and harmonies from some of the most interesting and fascinating, not to mention little heard outside of their country of origin, genres and serve them up on a base of contemporary jazz.

The Nine Tales of the Pendulum are - Autumn/Enemies of Order/Real Ballad*/Naturally Liberating Molecules/64 Claudio Coella/Unseen Coracle**/Abyss/Beginning/Skimpy.

* Composed by Binney. ** Composed by Neame, all others by Coady.

All in all a compelling musical journey - you may want a return or even a season ticket for the trip.

Mick Coady's SYNERGY feat. David Binney - Nine Tales of the Pendulum is on Jellymould records and released on October 1, 2013.

Lance.

PS: Synergy, with Julian Arguelles and James Maddren replacing Buckley and Carpio, tour in October.

11th: Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

13th: Marsden Jazz Festival.

15th: Con Cellar Bar, London.

17th: Band on the Wall, Manchester.

18th: Denhaag, Holland.