rock-jazz Archive

Rob Clearfield – Islands – ears&eyes

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 16, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Chicago trio which puts freedom to the forefront. Rob Clearfield – Islands [TrackList follows] – ears&eyes ee16-047, 57:36 [6/3/16] ****: (Rob Clearfield – piano, electric piano, organ, guitar, co-producer; Curt Bley – acoustic and electric bass; Quin Kirchner – drums) There’s a sense of self-determination on Chicago pianist Rob Clearfield’s first trio outing, the hour-long Islands. Clearfield issued two previous albums (a quintet record and a solo piano undertaking), and he wanted to approach this release with a purpose. “There’s a freedom inherent in the trio, where I’m the main melodic player,” he states. “When we were recording, I knew that this project was really going to be about my playing; I was never going to be in the background or blending into the ensemble.” He went further and pushed himself and his rhythm section (electric and acoustic bassist Curt Bley and drummer Quin Kirchner) into a realm of freedom within limitation. This musical aesthetic creates tension via the essential restrictions of three musicians and also by the dynamism of improvisation performed within each of the nine compositions (seven by Clearfield and two credited to the trio). Clearfield widened the trio configuration in the recording process. He overdubbed organ and […]