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Angelica Sanchez: Float The Edge

By John Sharpe
July 23, 2017
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Pianist

Angelica Sanchez

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Angelica Sanchez has become an in demand side person since her move to NYC from Arizona in 1995, performing with

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Wadada Leo Smith,

Tony Malaby

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Malaby,

Kevin Norton

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Norton,

Harris Eisenstadt

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Harris Eisenstadt, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Susie Ibarra, among many others. But her own leadership discography remains slighter than might be expected. Surprisingly Float The Edge represents her first entry as part of a traditional piano trio. As if to make amends, Sanchez has recruited strong players in bassist

Michael Formanek

bass, acoustic
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Formanek and drummer

Tyshawn Sorey

drums
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Tyshawn Sorey, each established bandleaders in their own right, and she consequently grants them a lot of space.

Her eight charts facilitate such largesse as she favors minimalist themes which emerge unexpectedly out of open interplay, in an approach born out of the

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans/

Paul Bley

piano
1932 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Bley school of egalitarian trio exchange. In fact Formanek appears almost as prominent as Sanchez, although Sorey as a sensitive accompanist is the epitome of restraint. Sanchez herself veers from percussive on the short title track, where her jabbing chords partake in nervy give and take with Formanek's skittering arco and Sorey's restless rumble, to almost lyrical on the first freewheeling then brooding "Pyramid."

The highpoint comes with "Substance Of We Feeling" which shows the whole group at its best, full of urgency and electric communication. Formanek's raggedy pizzicato intro settles into a pulsating thrum with Sorey's martial brushwork and the leader's sparse piano theme. Sanchez shines with reiterated Morse code strokes and glinting runs, as the bassist's nimble counterpoint shadows her trajectory, before resolving into a walking groove, with boppish piano. Elsewhere "Hypnagogia" demonstrates an atmospheric textural ambience, while "What The Birds Tell Me" is more dramatic but equally spacious.

Overall it's an understated set, distinguished by the talented threesome's deep listening-fuelled subtle interaction.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Shapishico; Float The Edge; Pyramid; Substance Of We Feeling; Hypnagogia; What The Birds Tell Me; The Traveler; Black Flutter.

Personnel

Angelica Sanchez

piano

Angelica Sanchez: piano; Michael Formanek: double bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums.

Album information

Title: Float The Edge | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Clean Feed Records

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