15th June 2015: BIG NEWS: Release day today for Ivo Neame’s ‘Strata’. 4.5* from All about Jazz, 4* from Marlbank and further reviews and features from NextBop, Jazz FM, The Jazz Breakfast and London Jazz.
Known widely for his linchpin roles with Phronesis and Marius Neset, effulgent beacon of contemporary jazz piano, Ivo Neame, takes a side step from his octet and other projects to release this exciting new quintet title Strata. Collaborating again with UK luminaries (including three fellow Whirlwind artists) Tori Freestone (saxes/flutes), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass) and Dave Hamblett (drums), this collection of eight Neame originals gyrates energetically with complex written grooves and varying instrumental colors to spark opportunities for venturous, improvised blowing.
Ivo’s intention for this recording– extensively gigged and carefully honed prior to studio time – was to explore harmonic and textural detail in greater depth in order to forge numbers which each take on their own identity. As such the resulting core quintet landscape, augmented by Neame’s sustained synth and accordian layers plus Freestone’s dazzling flute extemporizations, does indeed traverse many different levels.
From the rapid vibraphone swing of “Personality Clash” and “Crise de Nerfs”, via the crescendoing Weather Reportian synth-and-tenor stature of title track “Strata”, to an effusively hypnotic “Folk Song”, there’s an intensity of sound to savour. Coltrane-imbued “OCD Blues” is both powerful and mercurial, courtesy of Farmer and Hamblett’s bass and drum agility; and, pared down to piano trio for “Eastern Chant”, the leader is at his searching best. Intriguingly-titled “Miss Piggy” is, in fact, a finely-measured ballad showcasing the unremitting, resonant inventiveness of tenorist Tori Freestone; and the diaphanous atmospheres of “Snowfall”, enhanced by Hart’s ethereal vibes, are spatially illuminated by exquisitely drifting solos.
At the heart of such vibrancy and diversity is the inquiring, pianistic mastery of Neame, striking richly eclectic seams which, at times, might just as easily suggest Debussy or Stravinsky as the more obvious influences of Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and John Taylor. A player whose style – whether through programmatic or differing improvisatory structures – is certainly distinct amongst today’s jazz pianists, his particular aspiration for Strata is that it might reveal “memorable themes which make an impact on the listener, both musically and emotionally”. Truth is, however many or few layers of creativity you delve into here, this is a significant statement from a premier British quintet… And an enduring listen.
‘Strata’ has received some great reviews and the highlights are reproduced here:
“Ivo Neame’s complex compositions and gorgeous arrangements married with his searching yet unequivocal soloing results in an album of exceptional depth and originality, indubitably enhanced by his choice of such a talented coterie of collaborating musicians.”
4.5 Stars, All About Jazz (full review)
“Neame has a restless imagination as an improviser.”
“What’s here, the state of flux set to one side, is thrusting, exuberant, virtuosic playing, coming out of post-bop acoustic traditions. Neame has the wit and vitality to respond to the wave of energy coming from his band that he himself has set in motion embedded in the hints and clues of his writing.”
4 Stars, Marlbank (Recommended Release) (full review)
“Strata features a singular yet compelling instrumentation.”
NextBop (full review)
“Neame is one of the most highly regarded British pianists in his field… stellar quintet.”
JazzFM (full review)
“[Strata] will give rewards for years to come.”
The Jazz Breakfast (full review)
“A highly enjoyable album of original compositions.”
Bebop Spoken Here (full review)
London Jazz talked to Ivo prior to the start of the ‘Strata’ tour and here’s the interview: (read)
Here’s the full length version of the title track from Strata