Stark and uncompromising this Lugano studio recording anyone could relate to as an elegy.
Or perhaps not just so. Because the spectrum of reactions is endless given the open ended dreaminess and painterly abstractions of their latest collaboration.
The sound of Wadada Leo Smith makes me think of Tomasz Stańko at his most heart wrenching.
Iyer accompanies in a space that recalls something free-jazz pioneer Paul Bley could have occupied. Go listen to ‘Longer’ from his late period classic Play Blue for instance.
The track is from Defiant Life out later this month. Iyer and Smith have form together, releasing A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke 9 years ago. The pianist also makes use of Fender Rhodes and electronics on the album.
Album piece dedicatees include the assassinated Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba and a piece for the fallen in Gaza Palestinian poet, Refaat Alareer.
