To my ears, the best improvisers are the ones who play with a sense of direction and strong conviction. The two currently thriving today who first come to my mind are Rich Halley and Matthew Shipp, so to find that the two convened for a recording session is a real treat. And Shipp brought along his current working rhythm section of bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Newman Taylor-Baker, consummate masters of improvised music in their own right.
Terra Incognita is a special entry in Halley’s two dozen strong discography not just because he has a jewel Downtown NYC band behind him; this is the first time in recent memory this saxophonist has had a pianist in his ensemble. To have one of Shipp’s stature makes it all the more memorable. Through six extended performances composed instantaneously, there is the surprise, the visionary interplay, the spirituality and, yes, the flair for melody that are hallmarks of both sides of this meeting.
“Opening” is a helluva opening. The rhythm section is a rolling thunder and as Rich Halley lobs volley after volley of full-throated phrases, Baker knows just where Halley is headed. But telepathy is a trait required to flourish in a Shipp ensemble. Shipp for his part starts out in a comp role but slides easily to the spotlight when Halley takes five. What’s remarkable from hearing him improvise is the realization of how his overall approach is similar to Halley’s. Both own their own distinctive style but both show fealty to the elders as they stab forward into the realm of the uncharted feet first.
The backing band leaves Rich Halley with more space on “Forager,” and he responds with a richly imbued tone that resonates with the commanding presence of a Sonny Rollins. This is that classic tenor sax sound that attracted millions to jazz in the first place. “Centripetal” is a raucous swing, but in spite of the loudness coming from everyone else, it remains impossible to miss Bisio’s tenacious and accurate pulse. Delicacy is the name of the game for “The Elms,” a probing conference between Halley and Shipp where Shipp is subtly charting the melodic direction and Halley reacts instantly and gracefully.
Halley sets the initial parameters for “Terra Incognita,” which quickly invokes well-fitting counterpoints from Shipp and Bisio is able to instantly locate the right bass line that this knotted progression calls for. That enables Baker to fill in the little gaps left behind by the front line. The closing moment while Halley sits out is where Bisio gets to show off his insight and dexterity on bass, bolstered adeptly by Baker.
The sorrowful, sustained notes from Rich Halley that launch “The Journey” is where he might veer closest to Shipp’s regular collaborator Ivo Perelman, but to invert Michelle Obama’s words, where Perelman might go high, Halley goes low and thrives on the mid-to-low register with that burly tone of his. Highway speed is attained by the middle part of the song as Halley climbs higher and gets passionate but rarely agitated.
Terra Incognita is slated for release August 9, 2019 from Pine Eagle Records
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