The effortless and precocious ability shown by British pianist Alexander Hawkins to step between the jazz tradition and music more associated with free improv makes for a heady brew on this thrilling collection. While it is arguable that the genres are far from mutually exclusive the ability to make accessible music from that which is often viewed as 'difficult' is rare and deserves to be better known outside of his homeland.
This album retains only guitarist Otto Fischer from the previous Ensemble release, 2012's All There, Ever Out, the changes apparently forced by the geographical relocation of drummer Javier Carmona and Dominic Lash. The change in personnel inevitably has some impact on the sound which Hawkins summarised, in a 2013 All About Jazz interview, like this "This group ... is more concerned with rhythmic devices... Whereas the previous one was more timbrally aware...." He developed this point elsewhere by explaining that the new Ensemble rhythm section, while technically excellent, were not especially associated with the free-er improvisational territory of the compositions, and crucially had no clear preconceptions of what the music was meant to sound like. This keeps the sense of the unexpected in the music and Hawkins has clearly invested some time in getting the pieces and the ensemble interactions right showcasing early versions of the material on this album in a BBC Radio 3 session as far back as the autumn of 2012, some 7 months before the actual April 2013 recording date.
From the off the collection is straight into gear—the slightly off kilter theme of "Step Wide, Step Deep" morphing into the exuberant bass pulse of "Space of Time Danced Thru," that forms the second part of track one, where guitarist Otto Fischer in particular shines . The first part of the title comes from an interview quote by Henry Threadgill—along the lines of the very wide and deep step needed to reach the next level of musicianship, that resonated for Hawkins in terms of the 'jumps and vaults' needed as a soloist performing this music. It really is an evocative and poetic phrase that works both on Hawkins literal level, but also as a statement of intent with resonances of 'Giant Steps' and perfectly sets the tone for the explorations to come. The references and allusions are also there on the linked piece, "Space of Time Danced Through," that points back to Cecil Taylor's liner notes for Unit Structures: ...."While life is becoming visible physical conversation between all body's limbs: Rhythm is life the space of time danced thru."
Read more: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=47041#.U0ALq17Sx3g
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