Pianist extraordinaire Matthew Shipp gets involved with so many different ensembles (starting with his solo piano work) that it can be easy to forget that he leads one of the foremost jazz trios in New York. We’re about to be reminded again, however, with the Matthew Shipp Trio’s first release since 2020’s The Unidentifiable. World Construct is the latest installment from the jazz trio, redefined, with bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Newman Taylor-Baker.
Though Shipp is quite capable of continuous, hourlong improvisations that never end up in some harmonic cul-de-sac, World Construct is a collection of shorter, tightly structured pieces that explore this under-appreciated side of him. Shipp’s compositional skills are standout on World Construct, usually an approach that is at once very captivating and idiosyncratic. The closest composer he comes to that I can think of is Carla Bley as interpreted by Paul Bley, but even with that rough comparison, Shipp is his own man.
“Tangible” is a one hundred second groove, where Shipp supplements expected chords with some strategically placed unexpected ones. It’s kind of a bummer it ends so quickly but luckily, the similar “Sly Glance” grooves about three times longer. “Beyond Understanding” and “Talk Power” are strong manifestations of Shipp’s contemplative approach, rich in humanity and a sure sense of direction.
While World Construct showcases Shipp’s compositional prowess, it’s important to note that this record is credited to the Matthew Shipp Trio and that’s something the leader takes to heart. His distinctive patterns and tempos constantly evolve on the title track, but Bisio and Taylor-Baker play key roles in assisting that transformation.
“Spine” goes freer but within a context, as Bisio and Taylor-Baker lightly prance around Shipp’s pensive progressions. “Jazz Posture” gets downright frisky and it all starts with Bisio’s thunderous tones and lightning-fast fingering. He and Taylor-Baker have such a good rapport going, Shipp is content to sit out for a spell and let them take control.
Shipp’s unique interactions with his bandmates often become the highlight of the performances. His signature marching up and down the scale frames “A Mysterious State” but Taylor-Baker rolls his snare effectively to create more friction. “Stop The World” is a simple ballad where Shipp provides the minimal chords and Bisio makes his bass sing rhapsodic over it.
“Sustained Construct” is Shipp alone, letting the resonance of his sometimes-arpeggiated chords linger (“sustain”), a demonstration of his manipulation of space and tonality.
The Matthew Shipp Trio’s World Construct is out June 17 via ESP-Disk,
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