Referencing in sound an artwork from another medium is always a tricky thing. The synesthetic results will be subjective and allusive, complicated by the bringing together of a group of improvisers to interpret the referential object of the improvisation — in the case of this release, the artwork of six different major post-modern visual artists: Louise Nevelson, Frank Bowling, Lygia Pape, Richard Tuttle, Nuno Ramos and Ellsworth Kelly. Leader Bob Mazurek's parallel career as a practicing visual artist himself gives him an edge, and the proficient collaborators he has recruited make for a very successful attempt at this difficult feat.
"Four Page Color Systems," the suite of four pieces that constitutes the bulk of the music on this CD works to convey to the listener what the musicians are seeing and how the sounds of their instruments can translate color, line, shape, texture of painting and sculpture. The foundational working idea, according to the liner notes by John Corbett, was that Mazurek offered four of his watercolour and ink pages to each musician, pages dedicated to the first four artists listed above. This suite is essentially an improvisation using Mazurek's pages referencing aspects of the artists' work. On the other hand, the closing two pieces of this release ("Nineteen Colors on a Three-Sided Box for Nuno Ramos" and "Three Colors on a Four-Sided Box for Ellsworth Kelly") are compositions rather than improvisations, though the difference is mostly conceptual. All six tracks cohere beautifully. The sounds that result from the visual cues are inspired, engaging and clearly-executed. Mazurek's horns (trumpet and piccolo trumpet) and bells and electronics ride flowingly over Angelica Sanchez's piano, Tomeka Reid's cello, and Chad Taylor's drums, everyone contributing articulate lines, splashes of sonic color and rhythmic dynamism.
While I didn't know the work of Louise Nevelson, Frank Bowling, Lygia Pape, Richard Tuttle, Nuno Ramos or Ellsworth Kelly, I do now, having been inspired to do some quick research revealing painting of luminous power in the work of Frank Bowling and Ellsworth Kelly, and bold multi-media concepts of Louise Nevelson, Lygia Page and Nuno Ramos. It is a treat to hear such accomplished music in tandem with a contemplation of the art works of major artists about whom most audiophiles have no clue. I guess that was the point of this session. Mission accomplished!
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