Matthew Shipp: Piano Vortex

On many (most?) Thirsty Ear recordings, technology plays the part of an extra band member. This record provides a fresh counterexample to the rule. Morris and Dickey lock in to a very subtle groove that Shipp uses as fuel (or maybe fulcrum) for his launch into some very percussive and angular solo passages. I'm somehow reminded of both Chick Corea and Cecil Taylor, and yet this music sound nothing like either artist. As Shipp takes things more and more out, Dickey and Morris work hard both to reign in and add to the chaos. It's a great structural trick that deserves repeated listenings.