CD Review: Phronesis - Parallax.

Jasper Høiby – bass; Ivo Neame – Piano; Anton Eger – drums

(Review by Hugh C.)

Phronesis have excellent rapport, continuously feeding off each other, whether live or on disc.  Parallax, recorded in a single day at London's Abbey Road Studios, characterises the trio’s many features such as their rhythmic drive and a common melodic sense exemplified by the constant shifts of mood and texture.

The three musicians each composed three of the nine tracks.  They are generally up-tempo, although there are occasional reflective moments on this, their sixth release.

The first track progresses at 67000 MPH (well probably not really, but that's what it's called – after the earth's speed around the sun) rapidly followed by OK Chorale.  Stillness (as you might expect) begins with a somewhat less frenetic approach and features nice arco bass playing by Høiby. However, by about midway, They're are up to speed again. Kite for Seamus features the piano of composer Neave in contemplative mood, backed by Eger's gentle brushwork, with Høiby's bass coming to the fore later into the piece.  Just 4 Now regains the groove, driven by Eger's relentless percussion (at a Sage Gateshead gig my companion likened him to the Duracell bunny once he gets going!). Ayu is followed by A Silver Moon (no, not that one).  Manioc Maniac is a slightly mad romp before Rabat, which completes the set. 

The publicity accompanying the review copy suggests that Parallax is subtly different to their previous material, but carries all the standout features of the band's approach to music making.  I think this is probably true to an extent, but I had the feeling on both auditions that most of what I was hearing on Parallax was quite similar to what I had heard before.  A quick listen to my copy of Life to Everything (their previous release) would suggest that this is the case.  However, it does not decrease the enjoyment of the experience (especially if you like this kind of music), but those expecting something novel may be disappointed – by the same token, of course, die-hard fans of Phronesis will be well pleased!

Phronesis are great heard live, and are touring, but the nearest they approach BSH territory is Manchester's Band on the Wall (June 14) or Liverpool's Hope University Capstone Hall on April 29.

Hugh.

Parallax is available as download, CD or vinyl and is released by Edition Records on April 8, 2016.  CD Catalogue No. EDN1070; LP Catalogue No.  EDNLP1070