Ramblin'

Description

"Ramblin' comes from an adventurous period in Paul Bley's career, at a time when he was associated with some of the more avant-garde elements. His playing often takes an attractively aggressive approach, which he tempered in later years. There is his characteristic emphasis on the beauty of the single note.

The gorgeous, lush sounds on Albert's Love Theme, for example, or the slow, beautiful, expressive take on Annette Peacock's Touching are filled with enormous depth. Carla Bley's Ida Lupina is given a sophisticated treatment that emphasizes tonal bliss. As with all Bley recordings, this one takes close listening to appreciate its subtleties, but the joy is well worth the effort. Barry Altschul is spectacular on drums, with effective polyrhythmic support, and bassist Mark Levinson fits perfectly into the mix."

Description

Remastered reissue of pianist Paul Bley's 1969 trio album Ramblin'.

1966, the year in which Ramblin' was recorded, now finally available and restored to its former glory and putting an end to fans' anxieties about getting their hands on a copy, marked a major turning point for the American pianist Paul Bley (1932 - 2016). For the first time, Bley included three of the six tracks composed by his new wife Annette Peacock, 'Both,' 'Albert's Love? Theme,' and 'Touching,' and just one by his now ex-wife Carla Bley.

It is not so much the tabloid style story that is of interest, but rather Paul Bley's embrace of a new aesthetic. Whilst Carla is known for the formal rigour of her writing, even when inclined to deconstruct it into free jazz, Annette's inspiration is often devoid of tonal centres and focused on the juxtaposition of fragments tied to the here and now of improvisation.

The trio Bley chose to record with is one that has made history: Mark Levinson on double bass and Barry Altschul on drums, who remain one of the most intuitive and imaginative rhythm sections open to experimentation. What makes Ramblin' so valuable, however, is not merely the quality of its performers, but the living proof of how important it was for Paul Bley to utilise the openings of deconstructed musical spaces, whilst equally avoiding 'freedom that leads nowhere'.

Available as a deluxe CD with extensive booklet and 180g vinyl edition, with individually numbered gatefold sleeve and LP-size booklet.

Paul Bley: piano
Mark Levinson: bass
Barry Altschul: drums
Recorded 1st of July 1966 at Studio RCA, Rome.

Description

Remastered reissue of pianist Paul Bley's 1969 trio album Ramblin'.

1966, the year in which Ramblin' was recorded, now finally available and restored to its former glory and putting an end to fans' anxieties about getting their hands on a copy, marked a major turning point for the American pianist Paul Bley (1932 - 2016). For the first time, Bley included three of the six tracks composed by his new wife Annette Peacock, 'Both,' 'Albert's Love? Theme,' and 'Touching,' and just one by his now ex-wife Carla Bley.

It is not so much the tabloid style story that is of interest, but rather Paul Bley's embrace of a new aesthetic. Whilst Carla is known for the formal rigour of her writing, even when inclined to deconstruct it into free jazz, Annette's inspiration is often devoid of tonal centres and focused on the juxtaposition of fragments tied to the here and now of improvisation.

The trio Bley chose to record with is one that has made history: Mark Levinson on double bass and Barry Altschul on drums, who remain one of the most intuitive and imaginative rhythm sections open to experimentation. What makes Ramblin' so valuable, however, is not merely the quality of its performers, but the living proof of how important it was for Paul Bley to utilise the openings of deconstructed musical spaces, whilst equally avoiding 'freedom that leads nowhere'.

Available as a deluxe CD with extensive booklet and 180g vinyl edition, with individually numbered gatefold sleeve and LP-size booklet.

Paul Bley: piano
Mark Levinson: bass
Barry Altschul: drums
Recorded 1st of July 1966 at Studio RCA, Rome.