Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » East Axis: No Subject

East Axis: No Subject

By Mike Jurkovic
February 28, 2023
View read count

As multi-reedist

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Robinson, (

Maria Schneider

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Schneider,

Roscoe Mitchell

saxophone
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Roscoe Mitchell) takes the horn chair from

Allen Lowe

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Allen Lowe, all is delivered and then some on No Subject, the second, reason-defying release from chameleonic improvisers pianist

Matthew Shipp

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Shipp, bassist

Kevin Ray

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Ray, and drummer

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Cleaver. Turning to shorter forms and themes than the three lengthy group-thinks which determined 2021's restless narrative Cool With That (ESP), each member of East Axis integrally steers the protean charge to creation via his own curious instinct and will.

After the clangorous beauty of Cool With That, and each man's independent penchant for rancorous give and take, it may come as a surprise to many that these guys can speed-shift from near melodic collapse ("Decisions Have Been Made," "Metal Sounds," "Excuse My Absence") to a casual late night blue dance ("Sometime Tomorrow") or soft shoe swing ("I Like It Very Much") wherein Shipp, Cleaver, and Ray range from mad to mellow so innately as to possibly inspire a smooth two step across the dance floor.

Released through Brother Mister Productions,

Christian McBride

bass
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride's Mack Avenue Music Group imprint, the twelve adventurous episodes on No Subject take on all shapes and logics with a brazen adherence to themes which are fertile with anticipation and continuity. Rife with expectancy and deliverance, the title track sprawls vertically from conception to completion. The clamorous give and take of the sixty second "Somebody Just Go In, Please" serves as a calling card. "At the Very Least" opens mournfully as Robinson's dark moody testimony slides over Shipp's imperial concussions, only to ease out on a petulant , though contemplative Shipp solo. This is how freedom plays.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

At The Very Least; I Like It Very Much; Somebody Just Go In, Please; Sometime Tomorrow; Decisions Have Already Been Made; Metal Sounds; Excuse My Absence; I Take That Back; To Be Honest; Word And Respect; See What You Think; No Subject.

Personnel

Matthew Shipp

piano

Kevin Ray

bass

Gerald Cleaver

drums

Scott Robinson

saxophone, tenor

Additional Instrumentation

Scott Robinson: tarogato; alto clarinet; trumpet; tenor saxophone; slide cornet.

Album information

Title: No Subject | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Brother Mister Productions

PREVIOUS / NEXT

The Sound of a Puckered Butt, Nice G...
< Previous

Josie Falbo: You Must Believe in Spr...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.