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Yuri Goloubev: Yuri Goloubev: Titanic for a Bike
Yuri GoloubevTitanic for a Bike
Caligola
2011
The old saying, "if you want a job done ask a busy person," certainly applies to Russian bassist Yuri Goloubev, one of the hardest-working musicians in jazz. When not touring with his own small ensembles, he's criss-crossing Europe in the trios of pianists
Gwilym Simcock
pianob.1981
Johnny Laws
b.1943
Carlo Morena
pianob.1962
Perennial Goloubev collaborator, drummer
Asaf Sirkis
drumsb.1969
Julian Arguelles
saxophoneb.1966
The final piece in the jigsaw is pianist Claudio Filippini, who leaves a lasting impression on compositions that exude individual expression. At 29, and with four CDs as leader to his name, the pianist from Pescara is no debutant. Though essentially a modernist, his naturally unfolding rhapsodic lines and constant melodic invention are evocative, though in no way imitative, of pianists
Bill Evans
piano1929 - 1980
Bud Powell
piano1924 - 1966
A simple two-note piano motif ushers in Sirkis' composition "Sailing," and the sound soon swells with the arrival of Goloubev on bowed bass. There are few better exponents of arco, and his tone has the warm resonance of a cello. Formerly a classical bassist with the Moscow Soloists for 12 years, Goloubev's jazz recordings have used elements of contemporary classical composing—in particular harmonic—though on Titanic for a Bike the inevitable classical influence is most felt in his phrasing, a synthesis of the classical and jazz idioms. Downing his bow, the four-minute bass solo which follows is a killer. Melody drives Goloubev, and his playing has a lilting, folkloric quality. Filippini takes over the lead—with Sirkis slipping quietly in at the same time—and weaves a delightful course that is simplicity and grace personified. Bowed bass and the opening two-note piano motif return to close out this utterly seductive composition.
The loose compositional frameworks mean that no fixed patterns are readily discernible on tracks like "Philosophy" and "Well Seasoned Waltz," other than the shared characteristic of a series of interconnected solos which gently immerse the listener. The playing is free, though the individual roles are carefully defined. Sirkis and Filippini steer the group rhythmically, with Sirkis displaying a deft percussive accent that at times could lull a baby to sleep, notably on "How We Were." Argüelles hoists the melodic mast, and his solos have a spiraling beauty, whilst Goloubev and Filippini largely construct the tunes' narrative flow.
Elegance and melody, however, permeate the music, even at its most lively. On "Bagatelle 2," Argüelles stretches out with soulful exuberance, buoyed by Sirkis' most animated playing of the set. On "Elmau Revisited"—a notable exercise in counterpoint—the individual voices swirl around each other like currents. Empathy in the playing is ever-present too; Argüelles and Filippini's voices entwine in a hypnotic rising-falling exchange on "Bill Gates Among Us," another great tune. The piano-trio number "Love Stories" illustrates Goloubev's ability to comp beautifully in totally free mode. On the same track, Filippini's uncluttered solo reveals a sublime touch and an inherently emotive voice. The solo bass number, "Titanic on the Bike," is a pleasing oddity, germinating with an urgent, King Crimson-esque bowed riff, over which Goloubev charts the famous theme from the James Cameron movie.
In the end, Goloubev—on arco—and Filippini combine in a beguiling duo-interpretation of Jimmy Hughes/Dorothy Fields' song, "Don't Blame Me." It's perhaps appropriate that these two musicians should take the final bow, as their playing throughout this record is simply wonderful. Titanic for a Bike is Goloubev's most satisfying recording to date, and goes a long way towards elevating him to the ranks of jazz's premier bass improvisers. It also states the case most persuasively, for Goloubev as a modern composer and leader of note. Highly recommended.
Tracks: Sailing; Philosophy; Well Seasoned Waltz; How We Were (re: The Way We Were); Titanic on the Bike; Love Stories (re: Love Story); Elmau Revisited; Bill Gates Amongst Us; Bagatelle 2; Don't Blame Me.
Personnel: Yuri Goloubev: double bass; Julian Argüelles: soprano saxophone (2, 4, 8-9); Claudio Filippini: piano (1-4, 6-10); Asaf Sirkis: drums (1-4, 6-10).
Photo Credit
Ian Patterson ">
Track Listing
Sailing; Philosophy; Well Seasoned Waltz; How We were (re: The Way We Were); Titanic on the Bike; Love Stories (re: Love Story); Elmau Revisited; Bill Gates Amongst Us; Bagatelle 2; Don’t Blame Me.
Personnel
Yuri Goloubev
bass, acousticYuri Goloubev: double bass; Julian Argüelles: soprano saxophone (2, 4, 8-9); Claudio Filippini: piano (1-4, 6-10); Asaf Sirkis: drums (1-4, 6-10).
Album information
Title: Yuri Goloubev: Titanic for a Bike | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Caligola Records
Tags
Yuri Goloubev
Extended Analysis
Ian Patterson
Caligola
Gwilym Simcock
John Laws
Carlo Morena
Claudio Fasoli
Asaf Sirkis
Julian Arguelles
Bill Evans
Bud Powell
Yuri Goloubev: Titanic for a Bike
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