Search - Matthew Shipp :: Equilibrium

A creative high point in the series, but not for everyone..

fetish_2000 | U.K. | 09/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a Label that is largely known by word of mouth, and people willing to look a little further afield for their Jazz, rather than just relying on the "Blue Note" label, the avant-Jazz label "Thirsty Ear" has had its fair share of outstanding releases. Matthew Shipp has released one of his most fully realised albums with this album of experimenting Jazz, Nu-Jazz, Post-bop. This is a album that is (reasonalby) accessible for those relatively new to the genre, without completely alienating them with unlistenable passages of instrumentation that is unfocused and literally all over the place. And yet remains experimental, unique and leftfield enough, to still find an audience that regularly cut their teeth with this expressive form of music.



The first track "Equilibrium" is a sparse, spacious and enchanting opener, Instead of deafening with instruments suddenly popping in and out of the composition, it's using of basic melodic lines with mood textured perfromances, work aptly with hushed and restrained playing, that somehow comes together as a seamless whole.



"Vamp To Vibe", is a significant change of pace, replacing the icy cool of the first track, with a fusion of breakbeat, coupled with free-Jazz. Although the splicing of beats with jazz is nothing new, it's in its implementation here, that makes it so invigorating. Compelling drums, a memorable piano riff arrangement with innovative electronic beats underpinning the whole thing, Matthew works so well when he shifts into these sorts electronic fusions (as evidenced by his sublime contribution on the "Good and Evil Sessions, album).



"The Root", again works this template of using electronic music to forward the music, or at the very least present it in new and interesting ways. but this time instead of using lurching breakbeat, the mood here is more akin to downtempo music, and more exploratory and sophisticated, even elements of Hip-Hop are subtly introduced, but never taking away from the importance of the Jazz element here, which is wonderfully incorporated to complement the electronic elements, rather than suffocate them. Think a more cerebral Jazz/Electronic fusion, thats works more on mood than propelling movement.



"Portal" is a very short piece that is Conservative in comparsion to the previous track, and possibly acts more as a exquisitely arranged interlude to the following track, such is it brevity. No less accomplished however, than what went before, with subtle piano and stately vibes of an almost instrument introspection that contribute to the conservatory feel.



The album closer "Nu Matrix", gives the lions share of the performance to Matthew Shipp, with his exceptional performance (him, being one of the finest avant-garde pianist helps too). Matthew is an exceptional pianist of that there is no doubt, but here he's given more free reign to express his piano arrangements in a truly affecting manner, with the rest of the perfromaces restrained in an effort to give Matthew, the perfect synthesis of the directions he's been taking lately; free-floating, complex, intricate & electrified.



So there you have it....an album that looks to push the confinements of its genre, yet being melodic and multi-faceted & well perfromed enough, to not sound like an unlistenable mess of instruments all fighting each other for recording time. An album that feels very slight on the first couple of listens, yet its complexity is revealed on multiple plays.



But before you all see my 5-Star rating for it, and run out and consider buying a copy, this isn't something that I'd recommend to everyone, as its painfully subdued in comparsion to some of the other offerings on "The Blue Series" label. It's a far more considered album, and the album generally follows every modernist upbeat electronic/Jazz track with the next track being a far more contemplative, gentlee, and introspective piece, that is at odds with what went before. It's an album that doesn't really make many allowances for the people new to the whole 'Experimentive' ethos that the 'Blue Series' trades in. It's an album that assumes that you've previously sampled the labels work, and can get straight down to the business of pushing boundaries. And there's a worry that first timers will struggle to some degree. But if you are willing to persevere, it will (given time) eventually win you over, not immediately, but every listen will unearth something new, or ignite a new found respect for the album. And its here that it's true 5-Star appeal begins to shine thorough.



If, you are new to the label (like I am), then I strongly recommend that you do what I did, and try one of the more accessible, electronic minded albums in the series. (Like the tremendous "Blue Series Continuum - Good & Evil Session"), and after you've completely digested, that album and are looking for something a bit more challenging to cut your teeth on, then I'd gladly point you towards this underrated little gem, as it's not as instantly accessible or indeed likable (It took me a 3-4 listens, to truly appreciate what's going on here), but (hopefully) like me, It's grab your attention fully, and start you on the road of starting to seek out, the many other artists on this extraordinary label."