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Assif Tsahar / William Parker / Hamid Drake: In Between the Tumbling a Stillness

By Karl Ackermann
February 20, 2019
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Assif Tsahar / William Parker / Hamid Drake: In Between the Tumbling a Stillness

Israeli saxophonist/clarinetist

Assif Tsahar

saxophone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Assif Tsahar has deep roots in the free-jazz genre, having played with

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor,

Lawrence "Butch" Morris

cornet
1947 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Lawrence "Butch" Morris,

Peter Kowald

bass, acoustic
1944 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Kowald,

Fred Anderson

saxophone
1929 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Anderson,

Ken Vandermark

saxophone
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Vandermark,

Herb Robertson

trumpet
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Herb Robertson,

Cooper-Moore

piano
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Cooper-Moore, and many others. Among his other associations are two albums with bassist

William Parker

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">William Parker, Sunrise in the Tone World (AUM Fidelity, 1995) and Mass for the Healing of the World (Black Saint, 1998), and a European release with

" data-original-title="" title="">Hamid Drake, Live At Glenn Miller Caf��, Soul Bodies, Vol. 2 (Ayler Records, 2002). Parker and Drake join Tsahar on this trio release In Between the Tumbling a Stillness.

The trio format is a familiar and comfortable one for Tsahar. He has recorded in the formation with

Cooper-Moore

piano
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Cooper-Moore and Drake,

Mat Maneri

viola
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Mat Maneri and

Jim Black

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Black,

Rashied Ali

drums
1935 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Rashied Ali and Kowald, and

Mark Dresser

bass, acoustic
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Dresser and

Gerry Hemingway

drums
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Hemingway. In all cases the reedist pushes the boundaries far, and in all directions, without letting the music go off the rails completely.

The live recording features three improvisations, the first two, extended. "In Between" is ambitious at over twenty-four minutes. It is an endurance test for Tsahar who weaves in and out of blistering runs, infusing fast-paced melodies for much of the piece, finally stepping back long enough to allow Drake and Parker some inventive interplay. "The Tumbling" is a fiery, visceral fourteen minutes that is more stationary, even as Tsahar leaves more air for Parker, and especially Drake, who shines here. "A Stillness" goes from frenetic to tranquil, bridged by the drummer, who retains a liquidity even through fairly drastic alterations.

In Between the Tumbling a Stillness is full of small musical enigmas, shapes that feel familiar but shift before they can be recognized. Within each piece the connection between the three artists is palpable; they are approachable toward each other, keeping ears open in swiftly-moving scenarios. Parker deftly navigates abrupt deviations on his own imaginative terms, Drake's grooves are infectious as always, and Tsahar demonstrates that he ranks among the best free-jazz saxophonists. A thought-provoking, high-energy album.

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Track Listing

In Between; The Tumbling; A Stillness.

Personnel

Assif Tsahar

saxophone

Assif Tsahar: reeds; William Parker: bass; Hamid Drake: drums.

Album information

Title: In Between the Tumbling a Stillness | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Hopscotch Records

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