Chris
Potter (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Adam Rogers (guitar),
Craig Taborn (piano), Steve Nelson (vibraphone & marimba), Fima Ephron
(bass guitar), Scott Colley (double bass), Nate Smith (drums), Mark Feldman
(violin), Joyce Hammann (violin), Lois Martin (viola) & David Eggar (cello)
(Review by Russell).
Chris Potter has augmented his
regular quartet – Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith – with two bassists,
a string quartet and former sparring partner Steve Nelson on vibes and marimba
to record Imaginary Cities. The CD
comprises a four part suite (the title composition) and four other pieces.
Potter’s writing evolved from ‘a
non-specific utopian idea of how the modern city could be better.’ The first of
eight tracks (Lament) opens with strings, bass guitar and
Smith’s languid drum patterns laying the groundwork for Potter’s searching
tenor saxophone.
Imaginary Cities is divided into four parts – Compassion, Dualities, Disintegration then Rebuilding. The first part hears more of Potter’s accomplished
tenor playing followed by Adam Rogers’ ever-excellent guitar playing. Smith
drives Dualities, lifting Potter to
ever greater heights, Nelson’s vibes break away from the strings’ secure
foundation seeking to emulate the bandleader’s sense of adventure. Craig Taborn
plays acoustic piano on the album and sketches a delicate opening to the
impressionistic Disintegration ahead
of Potter’s floating soprano above a field of decaying strings. Smith’s
sparkling drum part revitalises the ensemble’s optimism on the suite’s end
piece, Rebuilding.
Firefly burns brightly; Fima Ephron’s lithe bass pattern, urgent
tenor, guitar and strings chase the melody, then vibes, Smith again pivotal. Shadow Self suggests an ‘out’ string quartet piece,
politely discordant. The final track, Sky,
dazzles briefly (Taborn and once more Smith) and it is down to Potter to
conclude matters. Imaginary Cities is released on January 19 on ECM (catalogue no. 470 4075). Chris
Potter’s Underground Quartet (on this occasion Potter, Adam Rogers, Fima Ephron
and Nate Smith) can be heard at Ronnie Scott’s, London , February 16 and 17.
Russell.
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