Wide Open Sky
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
Pat Irwin and J. Walter Hawkes both have impressive resumes, and here their combined skill makes for a trombone and guitar meshing that’s full of chamber jazz ideas that often move into unpredictable areas.
“In Another Time” starts the listen with soothing guitar and soft brass on the smooth and agile opener, and “Radiate” follows with muffled trombone in an elegant yet playful setting.
Further along, the title track flows with a gentle spirit and calculated precision, while “Apache” recruits a darker spirit with strategic percussion and a cinematic quality where Spaghetti Western nods are present.
Near the end, “The Set Up” recruits an ambient display of much grace, and “On The QT” exits the listen with an even fuller display of atmospheric texturing in the experimental, artistic environment.
It’s no surprise that Norah Jones and The B-52’s are just a couple of the stars that Irwin and Hawkes have played with, and this collaboration has them expanding their arsenal even wider into surf, Americana and twang territory with fascinating results.
Travels well with: SUSS- Ghost Box; The Raybeats- Guitar Beat