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Howard Riley

Two is One

Emanem 4127

Music for two overdubbed pianos is what the doyen of UK improvising pianists, Howard Riley, has provided on this, his latest recorded foray into solo work; he improvised one take, then immediately overdubbed his musical reaction to the playback, producing his first such recording in 25 years (1980's Jazzprint album Trisect featured three overdubbed piano parts).

All the pieces except one, 'Osoiretsim', are spontaneously created, and Riley admirers will immediately recognise features of his unique style: the way he is able to draw on, and allow himself to be influenced by, his whole jazz background, from bebop to free playing; his ability to produce vigorous, cogent improvisations from small kernels (a rhythm, an idea, a motif); his pleasingly cluttered, muscular sound; his frequent resort to favourite effects, such as the ringing, descending flourishes that fleetingly bring church bells to mind.

In addition, however, thanks to the format of this album, the extraordinary fecundity of his imagination in reaction to his own improvisations is also captured, and the result is one of his most intriguing albums, revealing fresh delights with each playing, and (in 'Osoiretsim', a delicious, occasionally downright funky visit to 'Misterioso' full of rich, dark chords and plunging rhythms) providing yet more proof of Riley's deep understanding of and affinity for the music of Thelonious Monk in addition to his peerless proficiency in the field of free improvisation.