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SPRING HEEL JACK
Sweetness of the Water (Thirsty Ear)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
It's obvious John Coxon and Ashley Wales were light years ahead of most Drum 'n' Bass electronica artists in the first place or they never would have come to the attention of avant-garde genius Matthew Shipp. It's safe to say, though, that the skills of these two have advanced exponentially since the collaborations began, no doubt as a result of shedding inhibitions and diving into the deep end.
Sweetness of the Water is improvised, head-tripping music not for those who need something they can whistle in the shower. At times you may only hear gentle cymbal work and an interesting, scratching sound that you suddenly realize is a pick against a guitar string. If that sounds dull, I assure you it's not; it holds your interest well as other sounds bubble up around you, and before you know it a fire has been lit from that simple little rhythm. There are also passages filled with huge sounds of cinematic proportions, and Spring Heel Jack expanded to a proportion capable of making such a sound without overdubs. The duo recorded without Shipp this time, but brought in John Edwards on standup bass, Mark Sanders on drums and timpani, Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet and their frequent collaborator, Evan Parker, on tenor and soprano saxophones.
What's this? The electronica boys in a real jazz band? Playing it completely straight? No, not completely. Along with Coxon's guitar, keyboards, vibes and harmonica, and Wales' guitar, trumpet and percussion work, there's a magnificently ethereal underpinning of low hums, pulses, sampled sounds you can't quite put your finger on and breathy atmosphere. What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that it's so very subtle. Most of the points here are earned the old fashioned way, through inventive playing of actual instruments. Mating the results with such a fine and sultry electronic atmosphere without sucking the life out of the performance? Well, that creates something for some of the more multi-talented electronica artists to study.
© 2004 - DJ Johnson