Search - Fieldwork :: Simulated Progress

If it don't got that swing ...

Troy Collins | Lancaster, PA United States | 07/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fieldwork is a jazz trio modeled after the collective ideology of a rock band. Featuring pianist Vijay Iyer as the only constant member of the group, Fieldwork has a rhythmic intensity derived from the old M-Base school initiated by Steve Coleman and Greg Osby, Iyer's former mentors. "Simulated Progress" features saxophonist Steve Lehman and drummer Elliott Humberto Kavee. Lehman is new to the trio, replacing former saxophonist Aaron Stewart and Kavee has already been replaced by current percussionist Tyshawn Sorey. Despite the shifting personnel, Fieldwork maintains a focused exploration of rhythm and collective identity.



With a program of drivingly insistent originals, Fieldwork leaves little room for sonic respite. Lock step grooves, fluid tempo shifts and dense harmonic structures define the trio's aesthetic. Iyer reveals little of his introspective side here as left hand rumbling bass notes and skittering right hand solo runs dominate. Lehman sounds like an M-Base schooled saxophonist, but has a fixation on the Chicago school as well. His studies with Anthony Braxton come through in his use of multiphonics and extended techniques, especially on "Transitions," something not commonly associated with the more conservatively tonal playing of the typical M-Base graduate. Kavee's drumming is tight, but never so rigid as to be redundant.



Noted Hip-Hop/Rock producer Scotty Hard adds a terse edge to the session. Hard's production enables the trio the same rhythmic weight as a rock band without ever losing the dynamic sensibility integral to a trio like this. Much like Tchad Blake's production on the Bad Plus' studio recordings, Hard captures all the density of Kavee's drum kit and the high tension wire like resonance of Iyer's bass note hammering.



With off-kilter metric time signatures and harmonically dense melodic structures, the trio delivers a set that is deceptively full for a bassless unit. This lack of a bottom end never limits the trio since the three take turns holding down the undercurrent. Lehman's sax drones pedal tones, Kavee's kick drum erupts at regular intervals and Iyer drops bass note tone clusters to keep the trio on target.



Time is treated fluidly, with accelerating and decelerating tempos embraced in unison. "Trips" is a perfect example of how the trio vacillates back and forth between loping tempos and manic, ahead of the beat pacing. "Gaudi" finds them in full blown frenzy, with Kavee's morse-code cymbal work underpinning Iyer's resounding clusters as Lehman's ghostly howl rides over the top of the tune. Gradually devolving into a glacially paced dirge, the tune dissipates into the ether. Both "Peril" and "Reprise" are inspired showcases, pushing the limits of the band's concept well past the breaking point.



Here, Iyer's fascination with sophisticated rhythmic structures inspires his collaborators writing to aspire to the same level of rhythmic ingenuity, enabling the collective to truly sound like a working unit. As a trio dedicated to the driving principle of rhythmic exploration, Fieldwork has few equals."

Awesome Trio

BluTrane | Los Angeles, CA | 11/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved Fieldwork's first album when it came out and this one is just as good if not better. Killer compositions and mind blowing solos. Not for the faint of heart!"

NPR on the Money

Jennifer Boggs | Evanston, IL | 11/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard about this group on NPR and decided to check them out. The segment on NPR called them "a power trio for the 21st century" and I think that's pretty much right on the money. A lot of very rhythmic music that feels very futuristic, yet somehow strangely danceable. There's some incredible solos too, but most of the record is more atmospheric and quietly troubling. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the cutting-edge."