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Reviews

Rich Halley — Terra Incognita
(Bandcamp Pine Eagle 012, 2019, CD / DL)

Rich Halley — The Shape of Things
(Bandcamp Pine Eagle 013, 2020, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2021-05-02

Terra Incognita Cover artThe Shape of Things Cover art

With these two releases, saxophonist Rich Halley steps away from his long-time collaborators in Portland, Oregon to join up with some well-known players. Matthew Shipp is known for his work involving electronics and free improvisation, though here he sticks to a piano unadorned by anything except his own imagination. Newman Baker is a drummer with an impressive resume as well, featuring work with Shipp, along with Henry Threadgill, McCoy Tyner, Ahmad Jamal, and scores of others, not to mention some well-regarded solo work. On bass he’s got Michael Bisio, who also has a long-standing relationship with Shipp, along with extensive recording and performance credits as both leader and sideman. And while Halley may have a less-recognizable name than the others, he more than holds his own in such illustrious company. The more I hear Rich Halley, the more he becomes one of my favorite tenor players currently active. The man is a monster, gutsy and raw, full of emotion and intensity, and the main comparison that comes to mind is John Coltrane, though perhaps tempered with a touch of Coleman Hawkins. He is not a player to be ignored, but his incendiary playing doesn’t to my mind tip over into abrasiveness. He does have a more melodic side, with passages of fluid beauty and poignance. Shipp is a perfect foil for Halley’s barrage, sometimes venturing into his own fiery flurries of dissonance and crashing, sometimes slipping into atmospheric meditations with unusual and sophisticated tonalities. Bisio and Baker provide some amazing moments as well, whether floating free in moody passages or propelling the energy with off-kilter grooves. Both of these albums are outstanding, and if pressed I might give a slight edge to The Shape of Things.

Filed under: New releases, 2019 releases, 2020 releases

Related artist(s): Matthew Shipp, Rich Halley

More info
http://richhalley.bandcamp.com/album/the-shape-of-things

 

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