Jon Balke, piano – Book of Velocities – ECM 2010, 58:22 *****:
A most unusual solo piano CD, this. Norwegian jazz pianist Balke took the cover photo himself out of his car, without looking thru the viewfinder. It was part of a “velocity” series he photgraphed. He observes that speed is a part of piano playing, it is about “the sheer force of your finger hitting the ebony and ivory. Velocity produces the sound – then come the chords, melodies, and context.”
There were no overdubs involved in Book of Velocities. It’s just an investigation of the sound potential of the acoustic piano, in the form of a ‘book” of 19 short pieces (one only :56 long) grouped into four chapters plus an epilogue. Balke explores an extensive vocabulary of ideas, techniques, rhythms, textures and sound colors. His original approach in improvisation sometimes incorporates ideas from contemporary piano compositions by such as John Cage and Kurtag. Any strictly classical fan who is into the piano music of Bartok, Ligeti and their ilk should hear this CD. Balke has to be one of today’s leaders in the Northern European style of improvised music. All of ECM’s piano recordings are first rate in the sonics department and this one is no execption. Yes, this disc was released about a year ago, but we missed it then and are making up for it now.
TrackList:
1. Giada
2. Scintilla
3. Spread
4. Castello
5. Resilience
6. Single Line
7. Nyl
8. Double Line
9. Obsidian
10. Sunday
11. Shapes
12. Gum
13. Bounce
14. Finger
15. Bass
16. Contrivance
17. Drape
18. Hanger
19. Septima 20. Llegada
20. Reel Set
21. Scrim
22. Stand
23. Sonance
24. Nefriit
– John Henry
