Shipp, Matthew / Piano Vortex
Album: Piano Vortex   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Shipp, Matthew   Added:Aug 2007
Label:Thirsty Ear Communication  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2007-10-28 Pull Date: 2007-12-30 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: Dec 30 Dec 23 Nov 25 Nov 18 Nov 11 Nov 4
Airplays: 2 1 2 3 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Jun 19, 2009: Memory Select
Quivering With Speed
4. Dec 19, 2007: Baptism of Solitude
Nooks And Corners
2. Dec 28, 2007: No Cover, No Minimum
To Vitalize
5. Nov 23, 2007: Memory Select
Sliding Through Space
3. Dec 26, 2007: Baptism of Solitude
Slips Through The Fingers
6. Nov 23, 2007: That's Not Bluegrass- really!
Nooks And Corners

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2007-10-27
MATTHEW SHIPP: Piano Vortex
Thirsty Ear, 2007

AVANT-GARDE PIANO – Setting aside the electronics for a change, daring pianist/composer Shipp gets back to basics with an acoustic jazz trio. But that doesn’t make this session any less striking or original than his other work. Joe Morris has switched from guitar to bass here; his dense, chewy sound dominates the mix early on, but otherwise this is a very fine recording of mildly “out,” deadly serious art-jazz with teeth.

Fo’s Picks: 3-8 all recommended

1. 10:27 – moody, spacious, bass wanders slowly over turbulent piano, builds up tension as it goes, fast and crashing near the end.
2. 3:21 – a low, lumpy swing: thick, angular piano, slight drag on drums
3. 9:12 – swirling w/scratchy bowed bass, grandiose piano, quiet break, then intricate, almost mechanical construction. Great piano work.
4. 4:10 – oddball, jerky swing: malfunctioning-robot piano and pulsing rhythm
5. 8:54 – piano, bass trade off oblique atmospheric impressions, then combine in a gliding storm: it’s thick and heavy but also flows
6. 6:39 – speedy rhythm: chopped-up piano lines grow huge & smash shit up
7. 3:17 – cerebral, fractured piano solo, seems reflected upon itself
8. 7:13 – strolling: almost “normal” but full of odd angles & jumbled phrases

[ Fo ] 27-Oct-07

Track Listing
1. Piano Vortex   5. Sliding Through Space
2. Key Swing   6. Quivering With Speed
3. The New Circumstance   7. Slips Through The Fingers
4. Nooks And Corners   8. To Vitalize