Whit Dickey – ‘Expanding Light’ (2020)

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A new chapter of sorts has opened up in the long career of avant-jazz drummer Whit Dickey. In the prior month, he launched a new record label Tao Forms with the first release coming from his longtime former bandleader Matthew Shipp. The second entry in the Tao Forms discography is coming from Dickey himself when he releases Expanding Light on June 12, 2020.

The other new beginning for Dickey is his new trio that has Rob Brown from his Tao Quartet on alto sax and a relatively fresh face on bass, Brandon Lopez. Expanding Light is a spiritual title, fittingly coming from a spiritual drummer. Dickey’s drumming is technically advanced but what sets him apart from most of his peers is that it also ranks high on the metaphysical scale, too.

With only a sax and bass at Dickey’s side, Expanding Light opens the window further on the hidden details in his drumming, even when the leader is not explicitly out front. “The Outer Edge” generates excitement first by Dickey soloing behind Brown and then Lopez entering the fray introducing 4/4 time that fails to sway the other two, setting up creative conflict. When a Dickey spotlight ends, Lopez returns with a slower tempo and this time the others follow along, even when he hastens toward the ending.

Lopez is quickly establishing as a bassist to pay attention to; he steps out front for “Desert Flower,” spinning a bass narrative in commanding fashion with as Dickey lays down some of the most muscular brushes you’re likely to hear. When they are finally enjoined by Brown, Dickey goes for the sticks and Lopez settles into a rumbling groove. The bassist saws through “Plateau,” defining harmonic parameters for Brown to ponder while Dickey establishes ever-changing moods.

“Expanding Light” is the powerful product of the thirty-plus years Dickey and Brown have spent playing together, playing freely but with purpose and unity. What’s more amazing is that Lopez is performing like he’s been playing with them for that long as well. The bassist uses his bow to engage directly with Brown on “Mobius” as Dickey deftly uses cymbals to create a sound vapor around them and reset the pace.

Brown’s most urgent playing is saved for “The Opening,” and he spends nearly the full five minutes wailing with an emotional impact supported by the controlled turbulence of the rhythm section.

Veteran drummer and novice record label entrepreneur Whit Dickey finds ways to keep things fresh, this time with a new trio for Expanding Light. Pick up a copy of Expanding Light through Bandcamp.


S. Victor Aaron