Ineffable Joy

Prolific tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman wanted to be on ESP, because ESP's 1967 Gato Barbieri album In Search of the Mystery was an important record for Perelman, both being South American tenorists of an avant bent. So it is no coincidence that the drummer on In Search of the Mystery, Bobby Kapp (who's also on Noah Howard's second ESP-Disk', At Judson Hall (1968)), mans the kit for the present album. For that matter, the bassist, William Parker, made his recorded debut on ESP as well, playing on Frank Lowe's Black Beings (1973). And Perelman has a twenty-three-year/thirty-three-and-counting-albums collaboration with pianist Matthew Shipp, who's been associated with ESP since 2015. Kapp and Shipp are on Perelman's  2017 Leo album Tarvos, Parker and Shipp have made multiple albums with Perelman, and this is even the second time out for this quartet, after 2017's Heptagon (Leo). Somehow, though, their interplay remains fresh. Of course each player has particular gestures and general textures that recur from time to time, but like a kaleidoscope, each turn finds familiar elements recombinating into new patterns. Parker, Perelman, and Shipp frequently interweave spontaneous melodies of dazzling complexity. The free-bop of the rhythm section introduction to "Jubilation" is an unexpected delight. Kapp's skittering accents throughout are a lesson in setting a pulse without being obvious about it, with "Bliss" being a prime example. "Exuberance" crowns the album in particularly ecstatic fashion, the four players' unique and distinctive styles coming together in an exultant expression of creative freedom that's communicative and accessible. (from the liner notes)

Personnel: Ivo Perelman, tenor saxophone; Matthew Shipp, piano; William Parker, bass; Bobby Kapp, drums. Recorded April 21, 2018 at Park West Studio. Jim Clouse, engineer. 

Track Listing:

1. Ecstasy             6:56

2. Ineffable Joy 3:54

3. Jubilation        7:17

4. Ebullience       3:42

5. Bliss                   8:45

6. Elation              4:43

7. Rejoicing         7:33

8. Exuberance   7:21

Press Quotes (re: Heptagon): "Kapp is an excellent choice as Perelman's assessment is on the mark...'he's very sensitive to time and space. He is dancing at the drum kit...' And while the frontline rolls along with the improvisational game-plan, Kapp's buoyant timekeeping faculties add a poetic quality to the rhythmic foundation along with Parker's resonating lines and fluid attack.  The artists do what they do best by creating on-the-fly works without following any rigid agendas..." - Glenn Astarita, New York City Jazz Record

"...one of the most finely realized of the albums that Perelman has released this year. It's a gem, and open eared modern jazz fans shouldn't miss it." Tim Niland, jazzandblues.blogspot

"this band feels extremely balanced and dancing. "Part One" finds Kapp and Parker locking into a delightful feeling of free time that is nevertheless in 4/4, and Shipp and Perelman connect above this like old friends." - Will Layman, PopMatters 

Musicians: Ivo Perelman / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Bobby Kapp