…music that quickly endears itself to the listener with an interesting concept that is delivered with finesse.
Ubuntu Music UBU0174
Mike Chillingworth (alto & soprano saxophones); Ivo Neame (piano); Tom Farmer (bass); Jon Scott (drums)
Recorded 25 & 26 August, 2023
An exciting and compelling release from Chillingworth with the saxophonist writing a series of compositions over complex structures and polyrhythms to generate frameworks for improvisation.
Sounds like a tough listen? If the concept sounds a little daunting, the other remit that Chillingworth set himself in composing the music was to keep it accessible, and while the melodies themselves appear to work in an unusual manner rhythmically it is so cleverly done that following the logic of the music seems almost natural after a hearing or two.
With melody, accessibility and groove the starting points, Chillingworth takes his inspiration from the focus and work of John Coltrane and Steve Coleman, and finding himself with that precious commodity of time on his hands spent it immersed in exploring and experimenting with polyrhythms. This intensive period of study and discovery of how to internalise the rhythms he was hearing, Chillingworth found that the polyrhythms he had learned, along with their variations, were seeping organically into his musical thinking.
In getting these thoughts onto manuscript paper and out to the quartet has resulted in a record of intense yet enjoyable music that sits pleasantly outside the norm. The title track, as with a couple of other pieces, focusses on single specified polyrhythmic ideas creating complex drum patterns over which Chillingworth lays down a multi noted theme across the top.
These single polyrhythmic ideas also manifest themselves in the wonderful ‘Coach Trip Special’ and the only non-original, ‘Ladies In Mercedes’, in which Chillingworth weaves an intricate pattern and arrangement of Steve Swallow’s tune. Respite, should it be required comes in the form of the lovely ballad ‘’Narwhal’ with some exquisite playing from bassist Farmer, and excellent solos from both alto and piano; and Chillingworth pops in a more straight ahead number in ‘Keep It Simple’ that is a direct and swinging piece none the less.
The assemble quartet handle the music with seeming ease, with drummer Scott handling the intricate passages with aplomb, and Tom Farmer’s bass playing is a tower of strength keeping a steady pulse throughout in addition to some strong solos. Neame and Chillingworth just work voraciously through the charts, eating up the solo opportunities with gusto combined with a deep sense of melody and shape in the solos.
If initially appearing a challenge, this is music that quickly endears itself to the listener with an interesting concept that is delivered with finesse.
