Two of the most important jazz releases of last year, Vijay Iyer's Far From Over and Roscoe Mitchell's Bells for the South Side, both featured Tyshawn Sorey on drums and I have been listening intently to his most recent CD, Verisimilitude.
This CD comprises five pieces, each scored for piano, bass and drums. It is remarkably varied music, constantly fresh and inspired and restlessly inventive. It is challenging music that demands your close and sustained attention but the time spent is amply rewarded. The musical palette is wide-ranging and flows easily from modern classical to free jazz with no hint of discomfort. Textures are varied through Sorey's use of toy piano and electronics.
Perhaps most of all, I am reminded most of all of the influence of the brilliant Anthony Braxton, one of the most cerebral player-composers within jazz of the past 50 years, with whom Sorey has already studied. There are also echoes of John Cage, Iannis Xenakis and Morton Feldman here as well. I look forward greatly to investigating the rest of this man's solo work and to followng his career as it develops.
Gryphon Diablo 300, dCS Rossini (with matching clock), Kharma Exquisite Mini, Ansuz C2, Finite Elemente Master Reference.
