John Law (piano,
keyboards, samples); James Mainwaring (saxophones, guitar); Ashley John Long (double
bass); Billy Weir (drums).
(Review by Hugh
C)
The founder and CEO
of Bebop Spoken Here emailed me to ask if I would be interested in
reviewing this CD, apparently, in his words “not my cuppa”. I do usually prefer to imbibe a simple cuppa,
real ale or perhaps a single malt and am not interested in the product of any
“mixologist”. I am however, musically
open to a cocktail of genres and styles.
On receiving a
review CD from Lance, I generally first have a quick read of the accompanying
background material. The downside of
this is that the hype therein may already adversely colour my view of the CD
before hearing a note! This was
emphatically not the case with this new release from the progressive and
innovative label Ubuntu – I couldn’t wait to listen to the CD.
John Law –
described as “experimental pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer” – has
feet in both classical and jazz camps, each complementing and enhancing the
other. With Congregation he has
also begun to include electronic elements in his work.
The Kiss commences with a slow repetitive rhythmic
crescendo on piano and drums to be joined by bass and saxophone in a
metaphorical melodic embrace, drawing the listener in, soon to be faded out to
rhythmic diminuendo. The track segues
into And Them with a funky groove and Law’s electronic piano, parrying
with Mainwaring’s guitar and morphing to an almost prog rock (think Supertramp)
feel towards the end. Configuration –
the title track’s name suggested by Law’s daughter, Holly – is another
up-beat, piano led bash, this time featuring Mainwaring on sax. This is my kind of album – solos, yes (on
this occasion including nifty bass work by Long), but supported by the other
band members in sympathetic jam, allowing the soloists to amply demonstrate
their skills, but not leaving too much space for an ego trip.
Scandinavian
Lullaby commences with
suitably atmospheric electronics, evocative of an empty, pine-clad landscape
with the arrival of our small band of musicians announced by slow rhythmic
drumming and almost Garbarekian saxophone tones from Mainwaring. Processional, initially another
piano/drums rhythmic duo is soon enhanced by arco bass from Long. Mainwaring is initially back on guitar on
this track, which certainly seems to be going somewhere, as he reappears on sax
later on. Jazzshh...commences
with the simulated anticipatory hubbub of a busy club. Electronically generated bass tones then
introduce a jazzy groove, Mainwaring’s sax adding a melodic swing, continued by
Laws on piano.
Now for a complete
change: Disfigured Bass features a
sample from Bach’s Organ Prelude in F
Minor played by Massimo Pinarello.
After 40 or so seconds of organismic delight the electronic bass groove
resumes with rhythmic support from Weir’s drums, to be joined by piano and
sax. Ghostly elements of the Bach
Prelude’s motif reappear and disappear.
Through a Glass
Darkly continues with
distorted bowed bass which resolves into ethereal electronics, such as might
provide the soundtrack to a Sci-Fi movie.
We are brought back to terrestrial reality by a melodic saxophone line,
to be then transported back into electronic space. Definitely back to earth for Complex City which
starts with car horns and other street sounds, soon to be replaced by spiky
electronics and drums with admixed electric guitar and piano. Urgent saxophone tones recreate the rush and
busyness of city life. The track is
brought to a close with the sampled voices of the musicians themselves.
These Rolling
Clouds is introduced by
delicate solo piano from Laws, joined half way through by Mainwaring’s mellow
saxophone, and finally by bass and drums, very much in the background on this
track. The Kiss (Memory of a Kiss)
reprises the theme of the opening track.
All the tracks are
composed by John Laws. In his words from
the sleeve notes: “each piece [has] a
unique texture, compared to other tunes”, imparting a “jigsaw approach [which]
does, however come together to form an interesting configuration”. Interesting indeed and a pleasure to listen
too.
Configuration is released on May 1 on the Ubuntu label.
Catalogue: UBU0036.
Hugh C
PS: John Law’s
Congregation have (probably had, in view of the current situation) a
launch tour planned – details here: note Sage Gateshead date planned for
September 25.
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