Jerome Deupree/Matthew Shipp/Joe Morris
February 3, 2025Travelogue
Fundacja Sluchaj! FSR 10/2024
Matthew Shipp
The Data
RogueArt ROG 0136
Pianist Matthew Shipp recording career is as prolific as it is at ranging. Initially part of saxophonist David S. Ware’s quartet, he has constantly refined his art with notable albums alone and with new and familiar playing partners. The Data is a fine example of the first, while Travelogue reunites him with guitarist Joe Morris, with whom he’s recorded since 1997, plus first-time partner, Boston drummer Jerome Deupree.
Ranging through Data’s 17 tracks, Shipp confirms the parameters of his mature style and its adaptability. Never straying far from hard-edge improv, he introduces multiple theme variations. For instance while “The Data #12” outlines a methodical theme elaboration alternating pressurized low notes and high-pitched notes sprinkles, “The Data #13” has an exposition that pivots towards honky-tonk with soundboard digs, then upwards jumps.
Narratives are as apt to settle on tender, compelling chord changes as on prestissimo multi key emphasis, with all parts of the keyboard and many pitches and tempos exposed. Often this theme transformation takes place during a single tune. “The Data #3” for instance begins as a tremolo ballad, with gentling sweeps until a more pressurized touch arrives. Unexpectedly, after the half way mark, the precise structure is interrupted by a jazzy secondary theme that plants a kernel of swing among the subsequent tune variations.
Remember Shipp has a Jazz as well a free improv history. Some tracks reflect contemporary and earlier styles, especially with stop-time asides, power glissandi and emphasized tinkling. While the swing-and-stop melody of “The Data #1” could be from a 1950s Bop LP, there are echoes of Monk-like licks during variations on “The Data #14” and sly note doubling reminiscent of Herbie Nicolas in a brief segment of “The Data #16”
The best example of Shipp’s mature and singular solo work is “The Data #11”, where he crosses and recrosses different melodies from each hand and swells the pace to doubled tempo, emphasizes elevated keyboard plinks and basement throbs, then wrapping these patterns in augmented whorls and whirls.
Alternations among to-and-fro, light and dark timbres are also expressed on Travelogue, where Deupree’s contributions are usually limited to the odd drum thump, cymbal clang or occasional power ruffs. Tracks are essentially duets with accompaniment. Most improvisations are layered and twisted at the same time, with Morris sometime expanding his reach so that lower-string resonations create what could be double bass parts.
Connected doesn’t preclude daring however, and dazzling displays from both pianist and guitarist are heard. Hard-edged narratives such as “37.8651° N, 119.5383° W” and “36.9741° N, 122.0308° W” are sometimes taken pressurized and at break-neck speeds with Shipp’s prestissimo chording matched by Morris’ single-note flanges and rebounds. Abrupt fleeting tones are emphasized, but so are connections as the trio strategy evolves. Other techniques emphasized are Morris’ clenched string pops; Shipp doubling expositions to super-swift chording;, and one episode where Dupree’s rhythmic accompaniment seems to come from beating plastic stir sticks on responsive surfaces.
Drum rat tat tats join with the guitar’s clean frails emphasize a simple swing groove as on the introductory “42.6362° N, 70.8431° W”. Yet Shipp’s dynamic patterning and Morris’ potent flanges that together circle and then join here and elsewhere confirm these are non-traditional improvisations.
Dependence and diversification are a perfect match here as Shipp’s piano is keyed-up to negotiate both situations into notable sounds.
–Ken Waxman
Track Listing: Data: CD1: 1. The Data #1 2. The Data #2 3. The Data #3 4. The Data #4 5. The Data #5 6. The Data #6 7. The Data #7 CD2: 1.The Data #8 2. The Data #9 3. The Data #10 4. The Data #11 5. The Data #12 6. The Data #13 7. The Data #14 8. The Data #15 9. The Data #16 10. The Data #17
Personnel: Data: Matthew Shipp (piano)
Track Listing: Travelogue: 1. 42.6362° N, 70.8431° W 2. 54.7753° N, 1.5849° W 3. 37.8651° N, 119.5383° W 4. 36.9741° N, 122.0308° W 5. 43.4461° N, 70.3507° W 6. 34.6037° S, 58.3816° W
Personnel: Travelogue: Matthew Shipp (piano); Joe Morris (guitar) and Jerome Deupree (drums)