Description:
With "Reimagining," his first album for Savoy Jazz, pianist Vijay Iyer moves on up in terms of visibility -- and in terms of accomplishment. This is his strongest effort yet, balancing rapturous emotion and knotty intellect, melodic flow and rhythmic heft. Iyer works here, as he usually does, with alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Mahanthappa, like Iyer an Indian-American who has mined Asian culture to rewarding effect, doesn't so much play songs as lay down shapely streams of consciousness, vamping with greater restraint and variety than he once did. Unlike many lyrically minded young pianists, Iyer is unafraid t
With "Reimagining," his first album for Savoy Jazz, pianist Vijay Iyer moves on up in terms of visibility -- and in terms of accomplishment. This is his strongest effort yet, balancing rapturous emotion and knotty intellect, melodic flow and rhythmic heft. Iyer works here, as he usually does, with alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Mahanthappa, like Iyer an Indian-American who has mined Asian culture to rewarding effect, doesn't so much play songs as lay down shapely streams of consciousness, vamping with greater restraint and variety than he once did. Unlike many lyrically minded young pianists, Iyer is unafraid to attack the keys, but his percussive approach, marked by antic unfurling chords reminiscent of McCoy Tyner's (just as his close partnership with the instant-starting Mahanthappa is reminiscent of Tyner's with John Coltrane), has different levels of intensity. With bassist Stephan Crumb and drummer Marcus Gilmore establishing dense force fields, Iyer moves seamlessly from modal patterns to swing effects to subtle funk figures. His bands are known for their tightness and team concept and this quartet is no exception. --Lloyd Sachs
Album Description
Iyer brings a fresh perspective to the jazz idiom with a musical palette that blends African, Asian and European influences beyond to the worlds of hip-hop, dance and poetry. The acclaimed self-taught musician has recorded an album with his working quartet that includes long-time collaborators Rudresh Mahanthappa, an alto saxophone, and Stephan Crump on bass, and 18-year-old phenom Marcus Gilmore behind the drums. The new project is a set of original Iyer compositions and a striking take on John Lennon's "Imagine".
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Manufacturer: Savoy Jazz
Release date: 17 May 2005
EAN: 0795041747525 UPC: 795041747525
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Login![Reimagining [Us Import]](https://i9.lisimg.com/image/products/280/B00094ARDW/music/B00094ARDW.jpg "Reimagining [Us Import]")
