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Strata

by Ivo Neame

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    High quality, 6 panel digifile with a matt finish

    Includes unlimited streaming of Strata via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Comes with album artwork PDF + album cover photo as a jpg
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1.
2.
Strata 06:13
3.
OCD Blues 09:30
4.
Miss Piggy 03:42
5.
6.
7.
Folk Song 05:02
8.
Snowfall 06:59

about

PERSONNEL

Ivo Neame - piano, keys, accordion
Jim Hart - vibraphone
Tori Freestone - saxes, flutes
Tom Farmer - double bass
Dave Hamblett - drums

ALBUM CREDITS

Recorded on 21, 22 July 2014 at Red Gables Studio, London
Engineered by Alex Killpartrick, London
Mixed by Alex Killpartrick, London
Mastered by Donal Whelan, London
Produced by Ivo Neame
Executive Producer - Michael Janisch

credits

released June 15, 2015

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Known widely for his linchpin roles with Phronesis and Marius Neset, effulgent beacon of contemporary jazz piano, Ivo Neame, takes a side step from his octet and other projects to release this exciting new quintet title Strata. Collaborating again with UK luminaries (including three fellow Whirlwind artists) Tori Freestone (saxes/flutes), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass) and Dave Hamblett (drums), this collection of eight Neame originals gyrates energetically with complex written grooves and varying instrumental colors to spark opportunities for venturous, improvised blowing.

Ivo’s intention for this latest recording – extensively gigged and carefully honed prior to studio time – was to explore harmonic and textural detail in greater depth in order to forge numbers which each take on their own identity. As such the resulting core quintet landscape, augmented by Neame’s sustained synth and accordian layers plus Freestone’s dazzling flute extemporizations, does indeed traverse many different levels.

From the rapid vibraphone swing of 'Personality Clash' and 'Crise de Nerfs', via the crescendoing Weather Reportian synth-and-tenor stature of title track 'Strata', to an effusively hypnotic 'Folk Song', there’s an intensity of sound to savor. Coltrane-imbued 'OCD Blues' is both powerful and mercurial, courtesy of Farmer and Hamblett’s bass and drum agility; and, pared down to piano trio for 'Eastern Chant', the leader is at his searching best. Intriguingly-titled 'Miss Piggy' is, in fact, a finely-measured ballad showcasing the unremitting, resonant inventiveness of tenorist Tori Freestone; and the diaphanous atmospheres of 'Snowfall', enhanced by Hart’s ethereal vibes, are spatially illuminated by exquisitely drifting solos.

At the heart of such vibrancy and diversity is the inquiring, pianistic mastery of Neame, striking richly eclectic seams which, at times, might just as easily suggest Debussy or Stravinsky as the more obvious influences of Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and John Taylor. A player whose style – whether through programmatic or differing improvisatory structures – is certainly distinct amongst today’s jazz pianists, his particular aspiration for Strata is that it might reveal “memorable themes which make an impact on the listener, both musically and emotionally”. Truth is, however many or few layers of creativity you delve into here, this is a significant statement from a premier British quintet... And an enduring listen.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

"Ivo Neame's complex compositions and gorgeous arrangements married with his searching yet unequivocal soloing results in an album of exceptional depth and originality."
★★★★½ All About Jazz

"Thrusting, exuberant, virtuosic playing, coming out of post-bop acoustic traditions. Neame has the wit and vitality to respond to the wave of energy coming from his band that he himself has set in motion."
★★★★ Marlbank

"Strata features a singular yet compelling instrumentation."
Nextbop

"Neame is one of the most highly regarded British pianists in his field... stellar quintet."
Jazz FM

"[Strata] will give rewards for years to come."
The Jazz Breakfast

"A highly enjoyable album of original compositions."
Bebop Spoken Here

"Neame has a restless imagination as an improviser."
★★★★ Marlbank

"A unified set of pieces in contrasting moods and styles... which aims to engage the listener throughout... and it succeeds."
Hi-Fi News & Record Review

"This is a fine and varied selection, all thoughtfully played."
The Northern Echo

"A towering statement from a venturesome British team... Ivo Neame is, without doubt, an effulgent beacon amongst British contemporary jazz pianists."
AP Reviews

"This is a complex and interesting album which rewards repeated listening to discover its depth and subtleties."
Sandy Brown Jazz

"A singular voice and a communal effort from a group of musicians who are shaping the future of British jazz."
★★★★ The Irish Times

"Superb new quintet release signals the emergence of a UK-based jazz artist of international quality... Ivo Neame continues on Strata to set new standards for lyrical contemporary jazz in the UK."
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine

"Strata is the gifted Neame's best effort yet to balance the rhythmic back-doubles of latter day jazz composition with the freedoms of improvisation."
★★★★ The Guardian

"What is remarkable about the album is the way that the breadth of influences has been both accommodated and blended to feel natural rather than capricious stylistic shifts."
★★★★ All About Jazz

"There is great subtlety in the combined use of piano, vibes and, on occasion, flute and this is wonderfully illustrated on ‘Folk Song’ with shimmering effect from vibraphonist Jim Hart."
UK Vibe

"Fascinating... a clear and sustained statement... A musician whose style - whether through programmatic or deviating improvisational structures - differs significantly from the other jazz pianists of our time."
Medien Info

"Packed with ideas, melodies, resolutions, and their revelations."
Jazz thing

"Brilliant."
Musik an sich

"Excellent, varied and exciting."
Musikreviews Magazine

"Ivo Neame has presented a comprehensive and personalized vision of jazz."
Nachrichten

"Energetic and complex grooves and changing timbres prepare the ground for daring improvisations."
Rhein Main Magazine

"Multi-layered, intricate compositions... Neame shines not only on piano, but accordion and analog synthesizers."
Sound & Image

"A quintet of exceptional British Musicians."
DrumHeads Magazine

"Powerful expressiveness, with distinctive eclectic moments that are reminiscent of Stravinsky or Debussy, but also show influences of John Taylor or Keith Jarrett."
Jazz Podium

“[Neame's] pieces are remarkable, his piano solos are pure joy, especially those thoughtful yet purposeful single-note runs: brave, patient and adventurous.”
Jazzthetik Magazine

“Sound images that are full of details and surprises…Fine modern jazz.”
Concerto Magazine

“An incredible intensity of sound to enjoy again and again.”
JazzZeitung

“A work that rewards more than one listen as it gradually reveals all it’s nuances.”
Der Hörspiegel

"​This kaleidoscopic work is bursting with ideas and displays a fine balance of composition and improvisation.​"
The Phantom Tollbooth

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The Whirlwind Artist Page for composer and pianist Ivo Neame.

"Neame has a restless imagination as an improviser."
★★★★ Marlbank

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