Spring Heel Jack - Amassed

Artist:

Spring Heel Jack

UPC:

700435712324

See Also:

Campbell, Roy Ibarra, Susie Shipp, Matthew Autechre

Description:

Spring Heel Jack: John Coxon, Ashley Wales.
Additional personnel: J Spaceman (electric guitar); Ed Coxon (violin); Evan Parker (soprano & tenor saxophones); Kenny Wheeler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Paul Rutherford (trombone); Matthew Shipp (Fender Rhodes piano); George Trebar (acoustic & electric double bass); John Edwards (double bass); Han Bennink (drums).
Recorded at the Strongroom, London, England, and Gateway Studio, Kingston, Jamaica.
Personnel: Jason Pierce (electric guitar); Ed Coxon (violin); Evan Parker (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kenny Wheeler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Matthew Shipp (Fender Rhodes piano); George Trebar (double bass, electric bass); John Edwards (double bass); Han Bennink (drums).
Recording information: Gateway Studio, Kingston, Jamaica; Strongroom, London, England.
Photographer: Cynthia Fetty.
The transformation of Spring Heel Jack into its own brand of avant electronic jazz continues with Amassed, rather logically following up on the previous year`s Masses as another entry in the "Blue Series." Performers like Evan Parker and Matthew Shipp once again return, accompanied by a slew of fellow improvisational musicians (drummer Han Bennink, trombonist Paul Rutherford, and bassist George Trebar among them). If not a regular performing group capturing a nuanced sound, the lineup readily demonstrates both the abilities of the performers and the relaxed-but-on-point edge of the overall performance ("Wormwood" is a fine standout, Bennink`s drumming an understated but crucial part of the arrangement). There`s also a ringer from the rock world -- Spiritualized`s Jason Pierce, who had Spring Heel Jack as an opening act back in 1997 and whose interest in free jazz makes him a perfect addition. He contributes to four tracks in particular, including "Maroc," written by Pierce and Parker, with the saxophonist ripping out some frenetic work while Pierce`s guitar contributes tense shading and feedback shreds in the background. The air of Amassed in general is much like Masses in that the combination of on-the-spot work and collaboration and careful studio arrangement becomes blurry -- one suspects just as much work went into the arranging of this as, say, In a Silent Way, but that`s hardly a bad role model to have. John Coxon and Ashley Wales` joint ear for a moody roil of activity -- rarely so explosive as to be overwhelming, never so calm as to be nonexistent -- sets and keeps the tone. On the occasions where the ensemble completely lets loose -- the title track in particular is a rampage and a half, while "Duel" kicks up a fair amount of noise while still keeping space in the arrangements -- the results almost always satisfy. ~ Ned Raggett

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Double Cross
2. Amassed
3. Wormwood
4. Lit
5. Maroc
6. 100 Years Before
7. Duel
8. Obscured

Album Information

Release Date:

09/23/2002

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Jazz Instrument

Subgenre:

Avant-Garde/Downtown

Label:

Thirsty Ear Recordings

Producer:

John Coxon; Ashley Wales

Catalog Number:

THI 571232

Original Release Year:

2002

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

51 : 28

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