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Gerald Cleaver/William Parker/Craig Taborn, Farmers by Nature (2009, AUM Fidelity). |
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Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor
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Saturday, 04 April 2009 |
 Farmers by Nature catches three of the boldest explorers of modern jazz in live, spontaneous improvisation at The Stone in New York City. Consisting of the entire June 19, 2008 session, this recording of six “compositions” includes three extended experiments (nearly 14 minutes to nearly 15 minutes each) and three more modest collaborations, all attributed collectively to the trio. Separately each track follows a general pattern from planting through voracious growth to final harvest, while as a whole the series could be a suite of six movements following seasonal cycles. The only thing missing is the visual input of the live experience, which might help identify the origins of the wide range of sounds—is Parker using two bows on his bass? What’s in Cleaver’s kit beyond the usual percussive weapons? Is Taborn tinkering inside the piano? The brief “Kortech Khan” features a rumbling bass and drum dirge. “The Night” is appropriately dark with some athletic basswork, minimalist phrases from Taborn that propel without dictating while Cleaver taps and dings. The lengthy centerpieces include “Cranes,” filled with Monkish rhythmic eccentricities and bluesy touches; Taborn proves that he needs no electronic enhancements to take music on a wild ride. “Not Unlike Numb” is a frenetic playground for Taborn’s tension-climbing, spiraling improvisations over grinding bass and a steady stream of percussion effects. Parker particularly intrigues with his heavy vamp on “In Trees” and with mad scientist experiments on the closing “Fieda Mytlie.” Not for the faint-hearted but highly recommended for anyone fascinated by the elasticity of sound and invention from largely acoustic origins.
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Thursday, 29 July 2010
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