The Squid's Ear Magazine


Cleaver, Gerald: Signs (577 Records)

Taking his cues from the electronic music of his Detroit roots, free jazz drummer Gerald Cleaver presents an album of synthetic rhythms and sonic landscape, each piece composed in detailed arrangements of compelling and adventurous structures, from propulsive grooves to sinuous soundscapes, a surprising and exciting twist showing Cleaver's strong compositional skills.
 

Price: $16.00



Quantity:

In Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Gerald Cleaver-electronics


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 755491230947

Label: 577 Records
Catalog ID: 5832
Squidco Product Code: 29355

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2020
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded in Brooklyn, New York, in 2017 - 2019.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Gerald Cleaver is best known for his career as a top jazz drummer, however, his memories of growing up in Detroit inspired him to create his latest project Signs. This debut as an electronic musician and composer came about in his Brooklyn studio through a long process of looking to translate what he heard, into a new language. Cleaver was born and spent most of his life in Detroit, where he experienced, and was influenced by, the legendary development and blossoming of the Motor City electronic music scene. On each of the seven tracks from the vinyl (plus four bonus tracks), the master percussionist turns his creativity and craft onto the realm of a forward-thinking electronic dimension. Listen to one of the most in-demand jazz drummers in this new way to express himself and discover how the palette has expanded through dream-like, transcendent electronic manipulations."-577



"Gerald Cleaver's made a name for himself in the realm of contemporary free jazz, his catalog comprising a lengthy list of collaborations with the likes of jazz icons such as Roscoe Mitchell and Charles Gayle, as well as contemporaries Nels Cline, Craig Taborn, Matthew Shipp and William Parker. His drumming technique is powerful and fluid, and his repertoire versatile, frequently veering toward the most free-form improvisation with the occasional foray into ECM-style jazz grace. Signs, his 27th album (depending on how you're counting), resembles none of his prior records and sounds almost nothing like it was made by the same artist. In fact, his signature instrument-the drumkit-is nowhere to be found on this curious and otherworldly set of music made entirely on synths. It's not a different side of a familiar artist so much as a step into an entirely different world.

Signs takes its cues not from Cleaver's own jazz background or inspirations, but by the signature sound of his home city: Detroit. Its innovative history in pioneering techno is infused into the album's DNA, but its sonic makeup is something different entirely. It's not an album of traditional techno or anything so straightforward. There's a pulse, and at its most thrilling moments, yeah, you could probably dance to it (probably?), but true to the outside-the-box thinking of an innovator, Cleaver's take on electronic music isn't bound by BPM or even traditional scales. It is, however, uniformly wondrous and breathtaking.

On its face the conceit might sound limiting; an album entirely made with synths and samplers as opposed to the more physical presence of live instruments would tend to remove a crucial element of Cleaver's sound. The truth is that while it's functionally different, it's still endlessly fascinating, emotionally challenging and texturally rich music that's built on a similar sense of imagination. The rusty, warbling bleeps that open "Jackie's Smiles" might initially resemble the fiery mbira performances of Konono No. 1, but the track in time opens up into a warm symphony of synthesized majesty. There's a frantic rush of tones on "Amidst Curses" that feels more connected to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Volume 2, and there's a similar sense of digitized microtonal horror dissonance to oddball epic "Blown." So, no, this isn't a jazz record by any stretch of the imagination, but the abandonment of strict adherence to simple, recognizable structures puts it in a similar creative space.

Though every track here shares some commonalities in terms of how they were made, their tones or otherwise, each piece has its own character and unique sense of direction. While it's one of the shortest tracks, "Tomasz" is one of the most climactic, rising up from bubbling synth tones into an almost orchestral ambience, while the title track trio threads a needle through chaotic techno dystopia ("I"), bluesy loops ("II") and what sounds like the album's most straightforward dancefloor banger, of sorts ("III"). It's an interesting tack that Cleaver takes, putting away the instrument he's studied and dedicated himself to for decades in order to find new inspiration and unexpectedly revelatory moments. It's also one that pays off brilliantly, a jazz musician's unorthodox take on electronic music that feels both fresh and strangely fun."-Jeff Terich, Treble

Also available on vinyl LP.

Artist Biographies

"Gerald Cleaver (born May 4, 1963) is an African-American jazz drummer from Detroit, Michigan. Cleaver's father is drummer John Cleaver Jr., originally from Springfield, Ohio, and his mother was from Greenwood, Mississippi. Gerald had six older siblings. Cleaver joined the jazz faculty at the University of Michigan in 1995. He has performed or recorded with Joe Morris, Mat Maneri, Roscoe Mitchell, Miroslav Vitous, Michael Formanek, Tomasz Sta ko, Franck Amsallem and others.

Under the name Veil of Names, Cleaver released an album called Adjust on the Fresh Sounds New Talent label in 2001. It featured Maneri, Ben Monder, Andrew Bishop, Craig Taborn and Reid Anderson and was a Best Debut Recording Nominee by the Jazz Journalists Association. Cleaver currently leads the groups Uncle June, Black Host, Violet Hour and NiMbNl as well as working as a sideman with many different artists."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Cleaver_(musician))
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Jackie's Smiles 4:32

2. Amidst Curses 6:49

3. Blown 9:42

4. Tomasz 3:10

5. Signs I 3:45

6. Signs II 6:59

7. Signs III 4:48

8. Ferrous Past 4:35

9. Radiator 7:29

10. Photic Plains 6:24

11. Day Red 4:02

Related Categories of Interest:


Electro-Acoustic
Electroacoustic Composition
Electronica
Percussion & Drums
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Solo Artist Recordings
New in Experimental & Electronic Music

Search for other titles on the label:
577 Records.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Jones, Darius (Jones / Cleaver / Zubot / Lee / Meger)
fLuXkit Vancouver (Its Suite But Sacred) [VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(Northern Spy)
Commissioned by the Vancouver artist-run center Western Front, NY saxophonist & composer Darius Jones developed this project during a succession of Western Front residencies between 2019 - 2022, culminating in this concert with fellow New Yorker, Gerald Cleaver (drums), and some of Canada's finest improvisers: Jesse Zubot (violin), Joshua Zubot (violin), Peggy Lee (cello) and James Meger (bass).
Mazurek, Rob & Exploding Star Orchestra
Lightning Dreamers [VINYL]
(International Anthem)
Led by trumpeter Rob Mazurek with Damon Locks (Black Monuments Ensemble), Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Nicole Mitchell, Gerald Cleaver, Angelica Sanchez, Mauricio Takara and Craig Taborn, this compact version of Exploding Star Orchestra performs Mazurek's deep space and wide-ranging electric jazz compositions, including a side-long, immersive journey evoking spirits past, present and future.
Mazurek, Rob & Exploding Star Orchestra
Lightning Dreamers
(International Anthem)
A compact version of the Exploding Star Orchestra, trumpeter & composer Rob Mazurek's octet with guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Gerald Cleaver, pianists Angelica Sanchez & Craig Taborn, flutist Nicole Mitchell, vocalist Damon Locks and percussionist Mauricio Takara present a far-ranging set of electric jazz, Miles-atmospheres and lyrically compelling music.
Cleaver, Gerald
22 / 23 [VINYL VIOLET OPAQUE]
(Positive Elevation / 577 Records)
A journey through a diverse set of genres and styles of electronica, influenced by the New York drummer & composer Gerald Cleaver's native Detroit upbringing, bringing out elements of techno and house music tempered by his improvisational, experimental and avant work; 11 tracks with solid rhythmic foundation in both propulsive and contemplative approaches to electronic composition.
Lopez Trio (Brandon Lopez / Steve Baczkowski / Gerald Cleaver)
Matanzas
(Relative Pitch)
"Matanzas" translates to "Killings", an apt description of this fiercely dark and propulsive free improv album from the NY trio led by bassist Brandon Lopez with saxophonist Steve Baczkowski and drummer/percussionist Gerald Cleaver, drawing unexpected and often malevolent sound from their instruments, particularly on the extended "Dithyramb, Sodomy, Salt".
Trujillo, Juanma / Kenneth Jimenez / Gerald Cleaver
Contour
(Clean Feed)
Recording in Brooklyn, the trio led by Venezuelan guitarist Juanma Trujillo, with Costa Rican bassist Kenneth Jimenez and New York drummer Gerald Cleaver, merge avant jazz, heavy rock grooves with a Sonny Sharrock flavor, and abstract almost chamber jazz, a fascinating combination of contrasts that keeps the boundaries of their contours flexible and masterfully unpredictable.
William Parker
Universal Tonality [2 CDs]
(Centering Records)
An incredible performance recorded at Roulette in NYC by a large ensemble of 16 jazz luminaries of various ages, cultures and musical backgrounds, led by composer and bassist William Parker, who explains that Universal Tonality is another name for love, the profusion of which is interpreted by vocalist Leena Conquest in a profoundly inspired concert of magnificent artistry.
Carter, Daniel / Matthew Ship / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver
Welcome Adventure! Vol. 2 [CASSETTE + DOWNLOAD]
(577 Records)
The 2nd of two studio albums from the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone & flute, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums, recordings from the same sessions as the 1st volume with five shorter works, as the long-time collaborators and friends show their nearly telepathic rapport in adventurous and masterful modern jazz.
Parker, Christopher / The Band of Guardian Angels
Soul Food
(Mahakala Music)
An open and free album of modern jazz evoking loft-style collective improvisation but controlled under the compositions of pianist Christopher Parker, in his debut album as a leader with the incredibly talented sextet of Kelley Hurt on vocals, Daniel Carter on winds, Jaimie Branch on trumpet, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums
Fujiwara's, Tomas Triple Double
March
(Firehouse 12 Records)
"March" refers to the foundation of repurposed march rhythms NY drummer Tomas Fujiwara employs for the compositions in his second release with his Triple Double sextet, actually two trumpet-guitar-drum trios brilliantly interacting, with fellow drummer Gerald Cleaver, both Mary Halvorson & Brandon Seabrook on guitar and Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet & Ralph Alessi on trumpet.
Carter, Daniel / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver
Welcome Adventure! Vol. 2 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
The 2nd of two studio albums from the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone & flute, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums, recordings from the same sessions as the 1st volume with five shorter works, as the long-time collaborators and friends show their nearly telepathic rapport in adventurous and masterful modern jazz.
Carter, Daniel / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver
Welcome Adventure! Vol. 2
(577 Records)
The 2nd of two studio albums from the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone & flute, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums, recordings from the same sessions as the 1st volume with five shorter works, as the long-time collaborators and friends show their nearly telepathic rapport in adventurous and masterful modern jazz.
Lopez, Brandon Trio
Live at Roulette
(Relative Pitch)
Calling his music jazz and not jazz, bassist Brandon Lopez demands of his listeners to dance, as the quartet of Lopez, Steve Baczkowski on saxophones, Gerald Cleaver on percussion and Cecilia Lopez on synthesizer are heard in this energetic live concert at Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn, blurring free jazz with experimental sound that never loses its strong grooves.
Carter, Daniel / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver
Welcome Adventure! Vol. 1 [VINYL]
(577 Records)
Arrived from Pressing Factory With Dinged Sleeves - top right corner is bent at about 1", otherwise new, sealed mint copies, vinyl is unaffected
Judson Trio (Leandre / Maneri / Cleaver)
Light And Dance [2 CDs]
(RogueArt)
A live recording at Instants Chavire's, in Montreuil, France in 2020, and a studio recording 5 days later in Malakoff, France, in the 2nd album from the Judson Trio of Joelle Leandre on double bass, Mat Maneri on viola, Gerald Cleaver on drums & small percussion, the entwining of viola and bass strings propelled with assertive restraint and accent from Cleaver.
Cleaver, Gerald
Griots [VINYL]
(577 Records)
Drummer Gerald Cleaver continues his explorations in electronic music, taking his compositions of modular electronics, synthesis, FM tones, and muted drum machines into intricate and wide-ranging territory, compelling through the solid and natural rhythms he imparts to each piece, many of which are titled for musicians who have influenced him.
Abrams', Joshua Cloud Script
Cloud Script
(RogueArt)
Double bassist Joshua Abrams provides the compositions for this studio album performed with Ari Brown on tenor sax, Jeff Parker on guitar and Gerald Cleaver on drums, an exceptional quartet of master improvisers who balance lyrical and soulful playing with explorative impulse, fueled by an empathetic responsiveness that only a long history of collaboration can engender.
Abrams', Joshua Cloud Script
Cloud Script [VINYL]
(RogueArt)
Double bassist Joshua Abrams provides the compositions for this studio album performed with Ari Brown on tenor sax, Jeff Parker on guitar and Gerald Cleaver on drums, an exceptional quartet of master improvisers who balance lyrical and soulful playing with explorative impulse, fueled by an empathetic responsiveness that only a long history of collaboration can engender.
Seabrook, Brandon (w/ Cooper-Moore / Gerald Cleaver)
Exultations
(Astral Spirits)
The title aptly describes the intense excitement and exhilaration of NY guitarist Brandon Seabrook's second trio album on Astral Spirits, performed with rhythm giants Cooper-Moore on Diddley Bow (a single-string bass) and free jazz drum legend Gerald Cleaver, the two creating a percolating interactive foundation for Seabrooks powerfully expressive and investigative playing.
Blaser, Samuel
Spring Rain
(Whirlwind)
Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser pays tribute to clarinetist and composer Jimmy Giuffre, in a quartet with Russ Lossing on piano & keys, Drew Gress on double bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, merging Giuffre's lyrical forms to create new and innovative compositions.
Lightcap, Chris Bigmouth
Epicenter
(Clean Feed)
Bassist Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth features 2 saxophonists--Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby, Craig Tabor on keys and Gerald Cleavers on drums, in 8 melodic tracks inspired by landmarks of NYC and influenced by jazz tradition, West African music, pop hooks, and more.
Bynum, Taylor Ho / John Hebert / Gerald Cleaver
Book of Three: Continuum
(Relative Pitch)
Collective improvisation from Ho Bynum's Book of Three with bassist John Hebert & drummer Gerald Cleaver, following their RogueArt CD with this exceptional album of original compositions plus works from Bobby Bradford, Salim Washington, and Jim Hobbs.
Hebert, John Trio
Spiritual Lover
(Clean Feed)
Bassist Hebert's Trio with French pianist and synth player Benoit Delbecq and drummer Gerald Cleaver, expansive and spacious jazz with a beautiful spirituality.
Lightcap, Chris' Big Mouth
Deluxe
(Clean Feed)
Bassist Lightcap's Bigmouth with Tony Malaby, Chris Cheek & Andrew D'Angelo on sax, Craig Taborn on keys and Gerald Cleaver on drums, NY jazz with remarkable rapport and prowess.
Levin, Daniel Trio
Fuhuffah
(Clean Feed)
Cellist Daniel Levin's trio with Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten and Gerald Cleaver in a set of original compositions from one of contempory jazz's masters of cello improvisation.
Moondoc Tentet, Jemeel / Jus Grew Orchestra
Live at the Vision Festival 2001
(Ayler)



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC