Drummer Tyshawn Sorey makes up a trio with Corey Smyth/p and Christopher Tordini/b on a disc goes beyond simple theme-solo-theme music to create an album of holistic music that feels both composed and improvised. Smyth has s rich, dark and almost classical touch, and he’s in no rush to get through the deep melodies such as “Movement” or “Template,” allowing the sounds to do most of the work themselves. There is a sense of environmentalism here that makes the undercurrent supplied by Sorey part of the piece itself, being more than just the rhythm engine. Conversant moments between the three on “A Love Song” feel like you’re listening in on someone in the booth next to you, while “Returns” is a fragrant inhalation of various acoustic scents. The music rolls in rather than attacks.
Pi Records