Matthew
Halsall (trumpet), Nat Birchall (soprano saxophone), Lisa Mallett (flutes),
Keiko Kitamura (koto), Rachael Gladwin (harp), Taz Modi (piano), Gavin Barras
(double bass) & Luke Flowers (drums)
(Review by Russell).
The Gondwana Orchestra’s opening
track, the eponymous When the World Was
One more than hints at a Coltrane vibe – Nat Birchall’s soprano, Taz Modi’s
piano (McCoy) and Luke Flowers’ drums (Elvin). Bandleader Halsall leaves it
late, contributing fluent trumpet work to take it out. A Far Away Place Far East at a guess) evokes ethereal
woodwind sounds (bansuri flute), Rachael Gladwin’s elegant harp riding on
Flowers’ desultory rhythmic snare.
Trumpeter Matthew Halsall’s
thoughtful solos are best illustrated on Falling
Water – considered, conscious of Modi’s piano part to follow. Patterns hears an up beat Modi giving
way to more of the measured Halsall. Flowers takes a few bars without losing
the momentum with soprano and flute (Lisa Mallett) supplying the coda.
Halsall’s interest in, and travels to Japan, demands the inclusion of
‘non-traditional’ jazz instruments (bansuri flute, Keiko Kitamura’s koto, harp)
and they feature on Kiyomizu-Dera (a
Buddhist temple in Japan).
Gladwin’s harp and Birchall’s
soprano respond to Halsall’s growling trumpet work on Sagano Bamboo Forest, peace sought and found. On the closing track
– Tribute to Alice Coltrane – bassist
Gavin Barras suggests a groove, the excellent Flowers goes with it, Modi dreams
awhile, flute awakens Halsall’s distant trumpet and harpist Gladwin has the
final word.
When the World Was One is
a beautifully conceived album, a million miles away from the Western jazz
world’s historic predilection for the bravura performance. The work is available
now in several formats on Gondwana Records.
Russell.
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