Amassed

by Spring Heel Jack

Overview

The transformation of Spring Heel Jack into its own brand of avant electronic jazz continues with Amassed, rather logically following up on the previous year's Masses as another entry in the "Blue Series." Performers like Evan Parker and Matthew Shipp once again return, accompanied by a slew of fellow improvisational musicians (drummer Han Bennink, trombonist Paul Rutherford, and bassist George Trebar among them). If not a regular performing group capturing a nuanced sound, the lineup readily demonstrates both the abilities of the performers and the relaxed-but-on-point edge of the overall performance ("Wormwood" is a fine standout, Bennink's drumming an understated but crucial part of the arrangement). There's also a ringer from the rock world -- Spiritualized's Jason Pierce, who had Spring Heel Jack as an opening act back in 1997 and whose interest in free jazz makes him a perfect addition. He contributes to four tracks in particular, including "Maroc," written by Pierce and Parker, with the saxophonist ripping out some frenetic work while Pierce's guitar contributes tense shading and feedback shreds in the background. The air of Amassed in general is much like Masses in that the combination of on-the-spot work and collaboration and careful studio arrangement becomes blurry -- one suspects just as much work went into the arranging of this as, say, In a Silent Way, but that's hardly a bad role model to have. John Coxon and Ashley Wales' joint ear for a moody roil of activity -- rarely so explosive as to be overwhelming, never so calm as to be nonexistent -- sets and keeps the tone. On the occasions where the ensemble completely lets loose -- the title track in particular is a rampage and a half, while "Duel" kicks up a fair amount of noise while still keeping space in the arrangements -- the results almost always satisfy. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	09/24/2002
Label:	THIRSTY EAR
UPC:	0700435712324

Tracks

1. Double Cross
2. Amassed
3. Wormwood
4. Lit
5. Maroc
6. 100 Years Before
7. Duel
8. Obscured

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Spring Heel Jack   Primary Artist
Evan Parker   Sax (Soprano),Sax (Tenor)
John Edwards   Double Bass
John Coxon   Multi Instruments
Jason Pierce   Guitar (Electric)
Ashley Wales   Multi Instruments
Han Bennink   Drums
Kenny Wheeler   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Matthew Shipp   Fender Rhodes
George Trebar   Double Bass,Bass (Electric)
Ed Coxon   Violin

Technical Credits

Cynthia Fetty   Photography,Design
Mads Bjerke   Engineer
John Coxon   Composer,Producer
Lou Trebar   Composer
Ashley Wales   Composer,Producer
Matthew Shipp   Artistic Director
Peter Gordon   Executive Producer
Steve Lowe   Engineer