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Matthew Shipp & Mat Walerian Duo/The Uppercut: Live At Okuden
By
Anthony Braxton
woodwindsb.1945

Max Roach
drums1925 - 2007

Bill Evans
piano1929 - 1980

Jim Hall
guitar1930 - 2013

Dave Holland
bassb.1946

Sam Rivers
saxophone, tenor1923 - 2011
"What are some of this generation's great jazz duos?" you may ask. Well, I'm happy to report that a new musical team has emerged that deserves to be added to the aforementioned list of greats: the

Matthew Shipp
pianob.1960

Mat Walerian
saxophone, altob.1984
While listening, you'll realize that trying to pin down one genre upon this whole set would be a monumental misstep; elements of the blues, free jazz, bop, gospel, and chamber music are all found within. Due to these broad influences, I've decided to simply call this "music"music occupying the highest level of sophistication and mastery, at that. Throughout, Shipp proves himself as a perceptive leader as well as supporter, whether it be responding to Walerian through swift, angular runs or fabricating a backbone with

McCoy Tyner
piano1938 - 2020

Eric Dolphy
woodwinds1928 - 1964
Live at Okuden is a prime example of what can come of two kindred spirits producing music under the freewheeling ideals of jazz. Sometimes the music is tense and atonal, at other times, it's gentle and ravishing. But perhaps most importantly, it's always unrestrained. Shipp and Walerian both harbor a matured sense of space, coordination, and texture that results in an overall enthralling listen. This is modern jazz at its most potent and uncompromising. ">
Track Listing
Introduction; Blues For Acid Cold; Jungle Meditation; Free Bop Statement One; Free Bop Statement Two; It's Sick Out There; Love And The Other Species; Peace And Respect; Black Rain; Encore.
Personnel
Matthew Shipp: piano; Mat Walerian: alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute.
Album information
Title: Live At Okuden | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: ESP Disk
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