Evan Parker invites Black Top invites Evan Parker.
Founded by Pat Thomas (piano/electronics) and Orphy Robinson (vibes), the ad hoc Black Top series is dedicated to exploring the intersection of live improv and the technology of dub, reggae and other worldly noises – using improvisation to explore these black influences but not necessarily from an African American perspective.
Their second release on Babel is a recording made at the Vortex with Evan Parker, so it’s a great pleasure to have them back to create new music together.
ORPHY ROBINSON
Vibes & electronics
Orphy Robinson is one of the major figures of the jazz scene – he has released records on Blue Note and played with Don Cherry, David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Courtney Pine, Jazz Warriors and Andy Shepherd.
He has composed for Film and TV- including “In answer to your question” for the Balanescu String Quartet and “ 42 Shades of Black” for Phoenix Dance Theatre,which was performed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Currently leads the groups CODEFIVE- NUBIAN VIBES – he also plays in the groups BRUISE and CLEAR FRAME.
PAT THOMAS
Piano & electronics
Pat Thomas studied classical piano from aged 8 and started playing Jazz from the age of 16. He has since gone on to develop an utterly unique style – embracing improvisation, jazz and new music. He has played with Derek Bailey in Company Week (1990/91) and in the trio AND (with Noble) – with Tony Oxley’s Quartet and Celebration Orchestra and in Duo with Lol Coxhill.
“Sartorially shabby as Thomas may be, and on first impression even rather stolid, he has a somewhat imperious charisma that’s immediately amplified when he starts to play. Unlike other pianists whose virtuosity seems to be racing ahead of their thought processes Thomas always seems supremely in command of his gift, and his playing, no matter how free and ready to tangle with abstraction, always carries a charge of authoritative exactitude.” The Jazzmann
EVAN PARKER
Saxophone
A major force in European improvising, Evan Parker has collaborated with everyone from Cecil Taylor, Paul Bley & Anthony Braxton, to Scott Walker, Robert Wyatt and Squarepusher. He is one of Europe’s most innovative and intriguing saxophonists, which is why he keeps audiences coming back for more.
“If you’ve ever been tempted by free improvisation, Parker is your gateway drug.” Stewart Lee
‘The trio keep true to the brittle jauntiness of the steel pan even as it is echoed and abstracted and the performance plays out without climax, a long tail of electronics, looping beats and short sax phrases. The trio keep things simple, maintaining a judiciously even balance of inputs, always knowing better than to queer the funkily eccentric pitch they’ve set up.’ (Tim Owen, Dalston Sound reviewing the album)