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Review of Mercury. CADENCE MAGAZINE (NY), JUNE 2007 'An Australian piano trio incorporating electronics and featuring Swanton on bass? No, it’s not the Necks but this group has a similar surfeit of creative energy and ideas. It really starts with Spence, a wonderfully imaginative pianist with considerable stylistic range. At times (on “Alpha,” for example) his playing is drifting and impressionistic, with an almost Evans-like introspection. Elsewhere, as on “Momentum,” he displays an instinct for the riff and employs some tight left- hand figures. Perhaps the most consistent stylistic impulse he evinces, however, is the influence of Keith Jarrett (his interpolation of idioms, his lyrical intensity). And regardless of where his stylistic inclinations lead him,
he’s
got wonderful colleagues. Swanton’s very elastic lines suggest
an Eddie Gomez influence to me, while Hall is a real delight, both
tasteful colourist and vigourous groove merchant.
Honestly they’re at their best when pulse is at the fore,
on tracks like “Momentum” (where Hall blends Swing
and electronica), “Mercury” (like Tristano on steroids
sitting in on The Necks’ “Hanging Gardens”),
or “Marco Polo Goes West” (with more shifts in tempo
and meter than you can count).
But they never sacrifice the space for expression at the heart
of their music. Whether they’re engaging in some spidery
free improv (“Eagle Man”), gently integrating electronics
(on the opener or “Luminescence,” with both live and
sampled glockenspiel), or on ballads that are unafraid to be plain
pretty (“Sixteen”), the group proves they have other
virtues as well.
Just when you think you’ll never like another piano trio
record, along comes something delightful like this.' THE ALISTER SPENCE TRIO
DISTINCTIVE AND DYNAMIC Alister Spence- piano / samples This trio was formed in Sydney over ten years ago and brings together
three of the most exciting, innovative and experienced musicians
in contemporary, original Australian jazz music.
They have released three CDs on the Rufus Records label, distributed
in Australia by Universal Music. Mercury,
the latest release has received critical acclaim and is just starting
to be discovered overseas. The band's two other releases are Flux,
nominated for Best Australian Jazz Album in 2004 (‘Sydney-based
pianist Alister Spence plays like a dream’ Financial Review),
and Three is a Circle, released in Australia
in 2000 and also in Japan (2003) on the Earth Spirit label. The three members of this band have a long history of playing
together, being well known for their collaboration in the ARIA (Australian
Record Industry Awards) award-winning band Clarion Fracture Zone
(also winner of Five Stars in Downbeat Magazine USA for
their 1993 release Zones on Parade). As a trio this band is noted for its engaging, strong compositions
and for the synergy, interplay and energy that they have together.
They have recently returned from an outstandingly successful tour
of clubs and festivals in the UK and Canada in June/July
2006.
The band plans to return overseas in 2008. |
