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Geoff Eales

Epicentre

33Jazz162

'An afternoon of solo piano improvisation' is what is documented by this album from pianist Geoff Eales; mostly first takes have been used, the better 'to capture the spirit of the moment rather than edit the life and soul out of the music in the search for absolute perfection'.

The pieces' titles – the album consists of eight improvisations and one standard, the Dietz/Schwartz ballad 'Haunted Heart' ä provide a good illustration of the range and depth of Eales's stylistic reach: 'Gospel Truth', 'Prayer', 'When Words are Not Enough', 'Eternal Dance' and so on indicate Eales's sources in everything from blues and gospel to post-bop and free jazz, and from folk to the classical tradition.

As admirers of his previous six albums will already know, Eales is a born improviser with an apparently unassuageable appetite for rhythmic and melodic exploration, so this modus operandi plays to his strengths: a sure technique that enables him to execute the most dazzlingly rumbustious runs with ease and grace; dynamic control that ensures clean, natural transitions between vibrant gospel- or boogie-woogie-inspired passages and the most hushed contemplation; and an overall tastefulness demonstrated by his programme's balance and variety.

After half a dozen recorded outings on which his parameters are basically set by his material, it's good to hear Eales allow himself free rein on this consistently enjoyable album.