"Shifa", or "Healing", is the London-based trio of saxophonist Rachel Musson, pianist Pat Thomas, and drummer Mark Sanders, here in a live concert at Cafe Oto in 2018 of two collective improvisations of arching sax lines, rolling and potent drumming, powerful block chords and intricate lines, from dark to joyful moments, an intoxicating tonic for the ears.
Label: 577 Records Catalog ID: 5823_CD Squidco Product Code: 30147
Format: CD Condition: New Released: 2021 Country: USA Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold Recorded at Live at Cafe Oto, in London, UK on June, 3rd 2018, by James Dunn.
"Shifa, from the Arabic word for healing, is a new trio born out of old musical partnerships from the ever-shifting sands of the UK improvised music scene. Pat Thomas, pianist extraordinaire whose eclectic motherboard pushes the music in unexpected twists and turns, suggested the name. The healing, in this case, is a raw, unfettered musical space where he, saxophonist Rachel Musson and drummer Mark Sanders meet and make music in the moment, of the moment. Each player values the others' ability to dive in deep, and demands that they each remain fully present to where the music needs to evolve next. The palette includes a mutual history in jazz, elements of classical, folk and pulling notes apart to allow sonic textures to come into focus. The trio has played together in previous collaborations and incarnations: Musson and Sanders have collaborated on various projects, and Thomas and Sanders have played together for decades, but this is the first time they have come together in this particular formation.London venue Cafe Oto hosted this particular performance that was recorded live for New York-based 577 Records."-Shift/577 Records
"ShifaÕs Live at Cafe Oto is a recording by Rachel Musson (saxophone), Pat Thomas (piano) and Mark Sanders (drums), due on July 12, 2019 via 577 Records. These three musicians are well-established on the U.K. jazz scene and have played together in various combinations before but never recorded as a trio, so this is a first Ð and it is glorious. Shifa is an Arabic word that means Òhealing,Ó and itÕs a good choice of title. The music has an energy which lifts, engages and takes the listener on a series of twists, turns, changes and concepts which evolve as the music is released.
ÒImprovisation 1 (Part 1)Ó sees Pat ThomasÕ piano introduce just over 20 minutes of improvisation with sax blowing up a storm across delicately placed piano chords initially and heavy percussion which then swaps and changes with the piano across the track. That provides a rhythmic background against which Rachel MussonÕs sax swirls, soars, dives and swoops, at times with raw, unfettered power which is refreshing. During the second half of the track, Thomas creates arching, lower note waves of sound across the keyboard, providing a backdrop against which drums and sax take apposite stances. Then, a little later, the piano raises an octave and creates rivulets of tinkling, busy sound lines around which the sax and drums duck and weave.
The piano sets the tone across most of ÒImprovisation 1 (Part 1),Ó yet there are sections where the sax in particular introduces off-set rhythms against which the piano recedes and takes a back line, while Mark SandersÕ drums later emerge to change the overall atmosphere with deep, rolling sounds. The art of improvisation here is well honed, as each player adds their own voice, creating a cohesive wholeness. The final minute is completely engaging for the ears, as the piano takes control and the others are happily led along a musical line which is slightly unsettled but also rather beautiful in its essence.
ÒImprovisation 1 (Part 2)Ó is again introduced by the piano, this time with a chord and then single notes in lower octaves over which percussion enters, light and off-rhythm, which serves to grab attention. The sax joins, stut-notes and short phrases, and the conversation has begun. The rest of the track is a to-and-fro between the three musicians, largely short, simplistic riffs with developed phrases from the saxophone. In places, the opposition of deep, steady notes from the piano pitched against altissimo wails from the saxophone create a sense of stretching the music out. In the second third, the piano builds a foundation of chords while the sax and percussion create some well-worked lines of their own, with the sax singing out over the top before a quietude which contrasts so beautifully with the busy section preceding. This is a wonderful piece of listening.
ÒImprovisation 2Ó is introduced by the piano, at speed, traveling in short three- and four-bar riffs across the length of the keyboard, over which the sax calls and drops into any short gaps, creating a call and response that maybe deliberate, maybe not but itÕs a lovely moment redolent of traditional jazz performances Ð yet improvised and very much of the moment. This track is wonderful partly because of the perfectly placed gaps and spaces, which capture the imagination and create anticipation. Together with the on-point percussion, this makes interesting and attention-grabbing listening.
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There is a sense of collective synergy, the energy contained within Shifa swapped back and forth as the highly imaginative improvisation is worked through and the energy is shared. Each player is listening and respectful of the others, yet chooses at times to assert their own musical message and interpretations of the rhythms and tempos set out before. That echoes the time-honored tradition in jazz music of listen, interpret, play, share.
This is joyful, unfettered, yet there is control and a depth of musical interpretation which does credit to ShifaÕs experienced and intuitive free players. Live is definitely best and the recording does justice to the atmosphere and setting. ShifaÕs Live at Cafe Oto is stunning and beautiful."-Sammy Stein, Something Else!