Four years on from their self-titled predecessor of a release we love this new from Pipe Dream - Giorgio Pacorig (piano, Fender Rhodes, live electronics), Zeno De Rossi (drums, percussion), Filippo Vignato (trombone), Hank Roberts (cello and vocals) and Pasquale Mirra (vibes).
There's an exquisite piano solo from Pacorig on 'Extended Human Potentials' and then huge deepness in the register from the ensemble. 'Living Paradox' is begun by the drummer De Rossi and has more of a skittering syncopated feel for trombone to solo over.
With material written by members of the band, recorded handsomely as ever by Stefano Amerio at his famed studio near Udine in Italy the main thing is that the ensemble are able to spread out and improvise deeper around coils of springy surfaces, the suspension making the bumpiest of journeys comfortable and fun. It's not just attractive instrumental material (although there is lots of cheeriness to the quintet's approach). Roberts' growly vocal on 'Pretty Boy Tom' has an ugly beauty to it that soars away from its Waitsian undertow to embrace wicked riff and groove, the arc of the pieces all develop detours ahead that reveal new imaginings in the collective interplay.
Pipe Dream take the road less travelled and even into a beautiful freeness where the best things always are - and it's wonderful.
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