From one of this week's big releases certainly in the improvised music universe Break a Vase was recorded back in the summer in an Oxfordshire studio. And there's a lot of mobility here built up on 'Stamped Down, or Shovelled' one of two tracks streaming ahead of release from Neil Charles on bass. Pianist Alexander Hawkins sets a lively tempo with the melody led by Shabaka Hutchings. A sextet recording, Stephen Davis' drum part is added to by an extra layer of percussion from Richard Olátúndé Baker while electric guitarist Otto Fischer enhances the texture of the piece no end. Hutchings is no stranger to working with Hawkins and appeared with the pianist on 2014's Babel release Step Wide, Step Deep and the pair have also performed together with Louis Mohoho-Moholo among the Five Blokes line-up. A rollercoaster ride of a listen it's interesting hearing Hutchings as a sideman in a setting very different to his usual work. Hawkins goes from strength to strength. His soloing here is dazzling but never at the expense of the integrity of the group sound. The full album release is tomorrow. Alexander Hawkins, top
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