Here are a couple releases from the ESP Disk label, demonstrating the more explorative side of jazz.
Pianist Matthew Ship forms s duo with Mat Walerian, who brings his alto sax, bass clarinet, flute and soprano clarinet for an intuitive concert from 2012. Shipp’s touch on the ivories has a spindly feel, creating some deft bop tones along with Walerian’s bass clarinet on “Introduction” and the cool toned “Blues For Acid Cold.” The team can also get a bit loose and chaotic when Walerian’s alto goes free from on “Love and Other Species” and “Free Bop Statement One” and the team takes an intriguing excursion with a flute on the 16 minute journey of “Black Rain.” Accessible, yet with some uncharted waters.
The quartet Last Exit consists of the formidable team of Sonny Sharrock/g, Bill Laswell/b, Peter Brotzmann/sax and Ronald Shannon Jackson/dr. The music is largely dark, ominous and heavy hitting, with lots of fierce drumming on pieces like “Prayer” and”Detonator” while crashing guitars thunder on “Cut and Run” and “Eye For an Eye.” Brotzmann’s tenor squawks and wails throughout, particularly on the frenzied “The Black Bat” making this album come across like a jazz version of Black Sabbath without Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals
ESP Disk