There are so many duo encounters between the saxophonist Ivo Perelman and pianist Matthew Shipp, but it’s pointless to rank them or single out certain records they made as standing out over the others. Each of these one-on-one improvisational sessions is a snapshot that lives only in the moment when the figurative tape is rolling, demanding to be considered without relation to any of the other duets.
Magical Incantation is the latest Shipp/Perelman moment to be captured and is so fresh that it didn’t even exist two weeks before this writing, and is already available for sale. Truth be told, any Perelman/Shipp Duo album could have been released that way since there’s no preparation done beforehand and overdubs applied afterward. The goal here is instantaneous, unfiltered transmission of emotions from head and heart to instrument. It’s musical truth.
Like a fingerprint or snowflake, Magical Incantation is unique within a collection of other unique tie-ups even if the basic approaches are similar. “prayer” has the ardor of 1940’s jazz even if the chord sequence is largely much more modern than that. It’s a perfect marriage of the jazz they grew up loving with the jazz they made their names with.
“rituals” goes in a flittering motion but both stay light on their feet and stay committed to making melody. Not surprisingly for these two, wherever direction they go with this tune, they always go together. The percussive side of Shipp comes out for “incarnation,” setting up some dramatic moments with Perelman.
Perelman facilely rides Shipp’s rising and falling chords during “lustihood,” delivering with a certain yearning quality that distinguishes his tenor saxophone from anyone else’s. “sacred values” follows a similar strategy, though Shipp opts for darker shadings. Shipp’s undercurrent has extra complexity for “enlightenment,” and his sax counterpart thrives on every challenge that presents.
The stream of consciousness that is the title track “magical incantation” doggedly avoids staying stuck on repetitive patterns, fluidly traversing from one inspired thought to the next. There are moments where Perelman reaches up to the very top end of the register fully controlled, only to instantly downshift into a softened, warm tone.
Ivo Perelman and Matthew Shipp share one of the telepathic musical connections between two individuals in the history of jazz. You might even call it magic.
Magical Incantation is released through Soul City Sounds. Pick up a copy from Bandcamp.
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