Investigative Studies were recorded at The Welsh Chapel, London on 13th July 2010 by Sebastian Lexer. Dolwilym Penumbra was recorded at the Mwnci Studios on the Dolwilym Eastate, west Wales on 12th October 2010 by Jethro Chaplin.
Mixing and editing by Sebastian Lexer
Text by Seymour Wright
Front cover image derived from a photograph by Jennifer Allum
Design by Myah Chun
total playing time: 65:14
Improvisation can take many, many forms. In some instances, it is chaotic and full, with Ornette’s huge group skronk-fest being one of the best known examples. On Free Jazz, it seems as if everyone is running around each other, doing his own thing, and the idea of call and response is sublimated to the importance of intensity, or it is altogether lost. In smaller group settings this can be the case, too, where the interplay between instruments is more implied than actual.
I have to admit I had to look up the meaning of the word "penumbrae" as my astronomical terminology is a bit rusty. The reference to "the partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of an opaque body (such as a planet)" clicks right in to place when listening to this superlative duo of violinist Jennifer Allum and percussionist Eddie Prévost.
This new CD on the Matchless label, the first duo recording of Eddie Prévost and Jennifer Allum, comes with extensive, and excellent sleevenotes written by Seymour Wright. (They can be read here) The notes not only capture the essence of the investigatory nature of the improvised music of this duo but also propose that the listener might use this documentation of the duo’s music to form a response of their own.