Oblong Aplomb
Out Of Your Head, 2023
9/10
The pianist and composer Matt Mitchell released his debut a decade ago and has remained continually creative since. Here, he spreads out 24 tracks across 2 discs of duos that never stay in one place very long.
The first half of the listen has Kate Gentile on drums and percussion alongside Mitchell’s unpredictable keys that opens with the firm and thumping “all immoderation”, and the oddly rhythmic “blinkered hoopla”. Further on, the frantic and mesmerizing key prowess of “alarm biffle” makes this the best from this disc, while “giggle trigger” exits this portion with a bit of restraint from the expressive keys and frisky drumming that’s both melodic and energetic.
The back half of the release features Ches Smith on drums, gongs, percussion, vibraphone, glockenspiel, tam-tam and timpani, which makes for the very distinct jazz ideas of the driving “the amused”, as well as the flowing key progressions and meticulous drumming patterns of “concentricals”. Deeper yet, “flit” carries a distinct dreaminess thanks to Mitchell’s acrobatic fingers, and “Baleful” exits with a lower register from the piano amid the animated drumming.
Mitchell’s always impressive avant-garde, free jazz and modern approach is again as exciting as it is unclassifiable, and with his excellent help he births another improvised masterpiece.
Travels well with: George- Letters To George; Marc Ducret- Palm Sweat: Marc Ducret Plays The Music Of Tim Berne