Tuesday, September 20, 2011

CD Review: McCormack & Yarde Duo - Places and Other Spaces


McCormack/ Yarde Duo - Places and Other Spaces
Edition Records EDN 1028. CD Review by Chris Parker)


The cover photo of this, pianist Andrew McCormack and saxophonist Jason Yarde's second duo album (their first came out on JoY aNd EaRs in 2009), finds them in somewhat stern, even sombre mood, but the music on Places and Other Spaces runs the emotional gamut from the relatively uncomplicated, celebratory feel of the rousing opener, 'D-Town', through the affecting charm of McCormack's 'Spanish Princess' to the haunting reflectiveness of 'Other Spaces'.

Both players, of course, are well-known figures on the UK scene, and they demonstrate an impressive rapport throughout the ten originals and concluding Gershwin piece that make up this programme, McCormack ringing the changes between rumbustious inventiveness, fluent dexterity and sensitive accompaniment, Yarde between sinuous, often pleasantly strident urgency and multi-textured power as required by the various pieces.

Recorded at Dartington Hall in April 2011, this is an intimate but consistently communicative, even eloquent set from two gifted individuals.editionrecords.com

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