Invisible Nature
Recorded live at the jazz festivals of Tampere and Berlin in November 2000,Invisible Natureis a fabulous album, as rich in unfolding mythic (or storytelling) overtones as it is in its diversely inflected melodic accents and rhythmic drive. With the exception of the concluding "Song for World Forgiveness," which features composer DeJohnette on piano, all of the 75 minutes here are improvised, but in a way that comes across as thoroughly structured and intensely lyrical. Both musicians--who have played together often since their first and until now, only duo recording together, 1981'sThe Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon--are masters of dynamics. Here, that mastery is enhanced by a sensitive use of electronics. At times, this can give the music the kick and drive of a large ensemble and at other moments underpin an essentially poetic approach to tone color and phrasing. While there's plenty of poetry here, there's also a healthy bucketful or two of straight-ahead wailing, with Surman often sounding as intense and expansive as he used to in his trio days of yore, when playing with Barre Phillips and Stu Martin. A superb document of the current health of jazz at its contemporary best, and as such, recommended without reservation.--Michael Tucker