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John Surman
Coruscating(ECM)
Reed player John Surman is joined on Coruscating by bassist Chris Laurence and the Trans4mation string quartet.
Surman has had an eclectic career. In addition to mastering the baritone and soprano saxophones and the bass clarinet, he has often employed synthesizers to add to his soundscape. He played on John McLaughlin's landmark album Extrapolation in 1969 and formed the free-jazz group The Trio with Barre Philips and Stu Martin in 1970. Besides his work with jazz ensembles, Surman has done commissions for dance companies, collaborated with bassist John Warren on The Bass Project for brass and rhythm section (with Surman on reeds), and made several solo albums which involved the use of overdubbing his reeds and keyboards.
As might be guessed from the personnel, this album emphasizes the more classically oriented side of his work—with elements of chamber, choral and folk music. The music has a feeling of contemplative beauty; it's elegiac and sad, but also celebratory and passionate. Some of the work is reminiscent of English composers such as Vaughan Williams or even the American Samuel Barber.
Despite large parts of the work being composed, there's still quite a bit of improvisation from Surman and bass player Chris Laurence. Surman often likes to solo on top of textural, patterned playing as on some of his solo albums.
Like the photos of Brighton pier on an overcast day on the CD cover and booklet, this music is "coruscating"—it glitters and sparkles.
— Alan Lankin, January 2001
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last update 19 January 2001