Label: RogueArt, 2022
Personnel - Myra Medford: piano, melodica; Ingrid Laubrock: tenor and soprano saxophone; Mary Halvorson: guitar; Tomeka Reid: cello; Susie Ibarra: drums, percussion.
The intrepid pianist/composer Myra Melford, a renowned bandleader of great integrity and creativity, gathered an all-woman quintet of unquestionable value and stark determination for this outing on the Paris-based label RogueArt. The idea of joining this group harks back to 2019, at the occasion of a residency at The Stone in New York. This meeting of musical minds with a true affinity for contemporary sonics and the avant-garde, handles 10 movements inspired by the work of American painter Cy Twombly.
The first movement follows a layered sequence that, beginning with solo piano interlocks (later turned deep-toned patterned movement), is gradually garnished with brisk then ruminant cello attacks, talkative drums overflowing with timbral richness, angular soprano wittiness, and effect-soaked guitar, which ends the piece with an emotionally vivid sort of scale. The crisp low-pitched groove designed by the bandleader continues in “II”, getting the best response from Susie Ibarra, an unobtrusive drummer of cultivated taste. Ingrid Laubrock’s crotchety saxophone goes hand in hand with Mary Halvorson’s lines here, but on “III” they depart in different directions as they toss up pungent phrases while winding around each other. The pair then withdraw from the spotlight to give place to a piano/cello/drums fantasy imbued with celerity and mystery.
Whereas “IV” carries a gentle chamber feel adorned by Ibarra’s detuned Filipino gongs, “V” - a seemingly telepathic duet between piano and saxophone - is a forward-seeking experimentation where Laubrock creates abrupt exclamations, snorting noises, swift runs, and jagged contortions all over the horn.
Fantastically articulated, “VII” brings Halvorson’s disconcerting playfulness to a shinning spot, well above Tomeka Reid’s cello plucks and Ibarra’s solid-rock rhythm. “IX” is an offbeat inspiration with everyone involved; it starts loose until it gets tight, later warping into an unsettled rhythmic propulsion topped with wild instrumental flurries. The disc comes to a close with “X”, a harmonious, candle-lit chorale.
This is a stunning debut for Melford’s new quintet. Anyone with a fondness for this kind of sound should find a lot to enjoy here.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - II ► 05 - V ► 09 - IX