A first-time encounter between saxophonist Matana Roberts and pianist Pat Thomas, performing live at London's Cafe OTO in 2018, with three short works opening the album as the duo develop their language, the 2nd side presenting an extended improvisation where both players go deeper into their dialog, each showing determination and great self-discipline.
Screen printed Kraftboard sleeve, die cut to reveal photographs taken by Dawid Laskowski and Fabio Luguro. Limited edition of 500 copies. 180 gram vinyl.
UPC: 5055869582964
Label: Otoroku Catalog ID: ROKU 024LP Squidco Product Code: 29835
Format: LP Condition: New Released: 2020 Country: UK Packaging: Vinyl LP, Screen printed Kraftboard sleeve Recorded live at Cafe Oto on the 8th December 2018 by James Dunn. Mastered by Giuseppe Ielasi.
"Pat Thomas is one of the most extraordinary pianists of our time. In a first-time duo with saxophonist Matana Roberts, the lyricism of his distinctly dexterous and curious approach to the piano paints pathways for Robert's poignantly vocal saxophone. Together the two speak; locked grooves and neat switchbacks on the keys form dialogue with long deliberate lines on the alto, punctuated by Roberts' ecstatic vocalizations.
The trio of improvised pieces which make up the record's first side are rich phrases, pitched at each end of the piano and stretched and pulled by Pat. His simple, repetitive cycles yield space and color for Robert's song, then let sounds build to a flourish; an armed run on the keys and some wonderfully soft landings.
The second side, a whole part in itself, goes deeper -- hammered armfuls of piano and torn top breath blasting from Roberts fall in a flutter of delicate keystrokes. Call and response halves collide in a wonderful thunder before finding the edge of another line to hang onto. There is a remarkable sense of purpose, precision and restraint at play, as well as a peaceful milieu, which no doubt stems from the two players' fierce individual intelligence, creativity and curiosity."-Otoroku
Screen printed Kraftboard sleeve, die cut to reveal photographs taken by Dawid Laskowski and Fabio Luguro. Limited edition of 500 copies. 180 gram vinyl.