Release Date: 19 January 2018
Label: Ecm Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602557826517
Release Date: 19 January 2018
Label: Ecm Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602557826517
Description
Kit Downes's previous ECM appearance was as pianist on the debut recording of Thomas Strønen's Time Is A Blind Guide in 2015 and he's critically-regarded as one of the UK's outstanding young jazz talents.
This recording, 'Obsidian', however has little to do with "jazz", although it could only have been made by an improviser of subtle sensibilities. Some of Downes's earliest musical experiences were as a church organist and in recent years he has been revisiting the instrument, exploring its sonic possibilities and idiosyncrasies, in improvisations both melodic and textural.
In November 2016 producer Sun Chung followed Downes to three English churches - the Snape Church of John the Baptist and Bromeswell St Edmund Church - both in Suffolk - and Union Chapel Church in Islington, London. These are very different acoustic spaces housing organs of very different characters which Downes investigates creatively. Alone for most of the album he is joined on one piece ("Modern Gods") by frequent improvising partner Tom Challenger (tenor sax).
Personnel: Kit Downes (church organs), Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone, on track 5)
Tracklisting
John Surman
Marcin Wasilewski Trio & Joe Lovano
Sebastian Rochford
Elina Duni, Rob Luft, Fred Thomas & Matthieu Michel
Keith Jarrett
Mette Henriette
Keith Jarrett
Jakob Bro, Arve Henriksen & Jorge Rossy
Kit Downes, Petter Eldh & James Maddren
Kit Downes
Lucia Cadotsch
Pulled By Magnets
Kit Downes
Kit Downes