MATTHEW SHIPP — Matthew Shipp Trio : The Conduct of Jazz (review)

MATTHEW SHIPP — Matthew Shipp Trio : The Conduct of Jazz album cover Album · 2015 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
Possibly one of the most prolific producers of new CDs in the world of jazz, Matthew Shipp seems to be coming up with almost three or more albums every year. With such an abundant flow of output, one is tempted to question the quality of Shipp’s work, but if “The Conduct of Jazz” is any indicator, Matthew continues to hold high standards for each and every new CD he puts out. “The Conduct of Jazz”, like much of Shipp’s music, falls roughly into an area we can call ‘avant-garde jazz’, but this music really does not sound much like any one else who might fall under the same genre umbrella. Instead, Shipp and his trio continue to make music that exists in a world all its own.

There is so much variety on here, each track opens a door to a unique musical universe. After the opening procession of “Insensitive Touch”, the CD’s title track follows with some obvious references to Monk’s music, but mixed up with Shipp’s trio’s ability to play in different, but related tempos at the same time. The following two cuts are almost more like concert hall pieces, but not in any formal way, but more in the fact that we are far from be-bop here, or anything that most people would call ‘avant-garde jazz’ for that matter. Both of these tracks display constructions that suggest structure mixed with improv.

On track five, “Stream of Light”, Shipp plays something that you could almost call jazz-rock, his piano pounding on this one might have something in common with some recent work by Robert Glasper. Track six is a real treat as Shipp plays piano alone and produces a lush, almost romantic ballad that sounds like Art Tatum run through a blender. Album closer, “The Bridge Across”, is familiar territory for most fans of ‘free jazz’, if there is such a thing as “traditional” avant-garde jazz, this would be it.

“The Conduct of Jazz” is yet one more outstanding album for Matthew Shipp this year, and is highly recommended for his fans, or the curious wanting to check out his music for the first time. Its also recommended for those who want to hear modern innovative music that sounds like no one else.
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