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Ant Law: Life I Know

By Roger Farbey
November 4, 2018
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Ant Law

guitar, electric
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Ant Law's third album and the follow-up to Zero Sum World (Whirlwind, 2015), is an impressive affair. The eight compositions reflect some of the guitarist's influences and experiences, real or imaginary. Since moving to London in the 2000s, Law has acted as sideman to various leading musicians including

Tim Garland

clarinet, bass
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Garland and recorded on Partikel's third album, the critically acclaimed Counteraction (Whirlwind, 2017).

"Movies" opens the set with Law insinuating a coruscating solo which, at its apex, is redolent of the nuclear-powered axe work of the late

Allan Holdsworth

guitar, electric
1948 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Allan Holdsworth. By contrast, the aptly-titled "Searching" is, however, more reflective. The complex "Aquilinus," with its haunting introductory melody, sees Law exuberantly soloing again, with a robust tenor solo from guest star Garland.

"Introduction To Laurvin Glaslowe" features guest

Asaf Sirkis

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Asaf Sirkis on konnakol vocals which gracefully leads into "Laurvin Glaslowe," a souped-up version of the number first heard on Law's debut album Entanglement (33Jazz, 2013) and is compressed, slightly faster and more dynamic than its earlier incarnation. Sirkis makes a teasingly fleeting reappearance at the end of the track.

On the moodily labyrinthine "The Act Itself," Mike Chillingworth is heard on bass clarinet, which imparts a feeling of

Bennie Maupin

woodwinds
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Bennie Maupin's memorable contribution to

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (CBS, 1970). For the closer, the elegiac "Credits," Garland is heard again, contributing a florid solo, this time on soprano. Life I Know consolidates the talented Law's career and signposts seriously great things to come.

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Track Listing

Movies; Searching; Aquilinus; Pure Imagination; Introduction To Laurvin Glaslowe; Laurvin Glaslowe; The Act Itself; Credits.

Personnel

Ant Law

guitar, electric

Ant Law: guitar; Ivo Neame: piano; Mike Chillingworth: alto saxophone, bass clarinet; Tom Farmer: double bass; James Maddren: drums. Guests: Tim Garland: tenor and soprano saxophones (3, 8); Asaf Sirkis: konnakol vocals (5, 6).

Album information

Title: Life I Know | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Edition Records

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