Energies Of Change (Evolutionary Music)
David Gilmore
Released November 3, 2015
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kFi5szLn-Yl9yaU362JoJ7twFA-hRLoHE
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/1aNIw1QyH1xhZYbPWUAocZ?si=nV3BGrnVR_ic5uMso3o5DA
About:
In his continuing exploration into the correlations and connections between the natural world and elements of music, David Gilmore has brought together a group of like-minded jazz improvisers, that are steeped in both the rich jazz tradition as well as having their finger on the pulse of today’s contemporary music. The title of the group, Energies of Change, refers to the phenomena of an ever-changing and unpredictable world that continues to defy mankind’s attempts to make it more understandable and manageable. The immediacy and spontaneity of musical improvisation is a direct reflection and expression of life’s hidden intelligence, and to move and groove with the Energies of Change is to truly be in the Moment of Now, and at least for brief moments, transcend the illusion of Space and Time. The music of the ensemble is both a reflection of the past and the future, bringing post-bop elements of swing mixed with odd-meter moments of fury.
Track Listing:
1. Energies Of Change (David Gilmore) 08:11
2. Rajas Guna (David Gilmore) 07:40
3. Dance Of Duality (David Gilmore) 07:22
4. The Seeker (David Gilmore) 05:48
5. Sacred Pause (David Gilmore) 06:01
6. Over Shadow Hill Way (Wayne Shorter) 06:52
7. Awakening (David Gilmore) 07:48
8. Revelations (Kenny Kirkland) 07:19
9. Trick Of I (David Gilmore) 06:11
Personnel:
David Gilmore: guitars
Marcus Strickland: alto saxophone (1), bass clarinet (1), tenor saxophone (2, 7, 9), soprano saxophone (3-6, 8)
Luis Perdomo: piano (1-7, 9)
Ben Williams: bass
Antonio Sanchez: drums
Kofo Wanda: talking drum (3)
Recorded in 2010, with additional recording in 2012
Review:
David Gilmore, a multifaceted guitarist known for his affiliations with the M-Base Collective, saxophonist Don Byron and percussionist Trilok Gurtu, is a thoughtful composer and ambitious performer. With his fourth release, he adds bandleading instincts to his already impressive list of talents and accomplishments. He doesn’t skimp on the compositional offerings—seven of the nine numbers are impressive originals. The title track, which opens the album with broad, flowing strokes, sets the stage for pensive alto saxophone and bass clarinet solos by reedist Marcus Strickland and extended explorations by Gilmore and pianist Luis Perdomo. Two non-originals serve as an illuminating foil to Gilmore’s pieces. “Over Shadow Hill Way,” written by the guitarist’s one-time bandleader, Wayne Shorter, features excursions by Strickland (again on soprano) and Perdomo. “Revelations” provides a reflective setting—Gilmore with acoustic guitar arpeggios and drummer Antonio Sánchez on brushes. It’s a nice outlier in both instrumentation and mood.
Yoshi Kato (DownBeat)
