SLAMCD299 The Spirit Farm – The Spirit Farm

‘The Spirit Farm’ features some of the most talked-about improvisers on the current UK scene – including pianist Adam Fairhall, vibes player Corey Mwamba and double bassist Dave Kane.

They build on previous instrumental approaches in fascinating ways; the upside-down use of the bass bow, often heard in free improv, is used here to beat out a haunting riff like a 21st century diddley bow, and the post-cage piano preparations so common among free pianists is applied to a vintage electric piano.

Like Adam Fairhall‘s first album for SLAM Productions ‘The Imaginary Delta’, this release is also a live recording, with all the risks and excitement that offers. ‘The Imaginary Delta’ was described as “An album of outstanding scope and vision.” by eMusic and “Inventive music that echoes the spirit of Charles Mingus” by Bird is the Worm blog, who voted it their Album of the Year in 2012.

Christophe de Bezenac: tenor saxophone
Adam Fairhall: grand piano, prepared Hohner Pianet T, prepared toy piano, Indian harmonium
Anton Hunter: electric guitar
Corey Mwamba: vibraphone, glockenspiel, Swarmandal, beak flute
Dave Kane: double bass
Johnny Hunter: drums

“The Hunter brothers have done intriguing things with saxophonist Mick Beck. Fairhall, Mwamba and Kane have built solid reputations. The less familiar name on this improv date is De Bezenac, but he turns out to be its key element, avoiding most of the saxophone clichés but not getting too involved with self-conscious deconstruction. It’s a hugely impressive performance all round.” – Brian Morton, Jazz Journal

“Think of this as a north-of-Watford improv supergroup, bringing together musicians who have been involved in some of the most innovative and vital jazz-related projects in the UK over the last few years, for a devastatingly creative live session. In full swing, the group’s energies find a natural home in ecstatic free-jazz, with Dave Kane’s towering double bass rising like a sturdy supporting column, Johnny Hunter’s drums falling forwards with a ferocious internal momentum and Adam Fairhall’s piano lunging fiercely…Full of unexpected textures and surprising sounds, the session convincingly proposes a 21st century British response to some of the challenges laid down by the AACM 50 years ago.” – Daniel Spicer, Jazzwise

“Fascinating recording of free improv…The Spirit Farm exhibits exceptional latitude in its fertile revelations, both ingenious and resourceful, and the improvisation is unbounded.” – Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views

“Another very interesting musical adventure from our friends at Slam Productions…they create fantastic and intimate improvisations that will hold you spellbound, particularly on tunes like the opener, “All”…what’s most notable on this tune is the pacing – they take lots of time to weave in elements that will remain just beyond your perception, until (maybe) the 3rd or 4th listen – be sure you do that first excursion with headphones on, or you may miss some of those neat little nuances.” – Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation

“One of the most notable features is the distinctive group approach focused on timbre, texture and sound, alongside willingness to use diverse idiomatic materials. That open-mindedness is demonstrated by a fondness for rhythmic patterns not always present in improv settings. Each of the pieces is episodic and incremental, drawing on unusual combinations, like a series of tenuously linked short stories…It’s a set that declares intent, imagination and prowess and as such promises much for the future.” – John Sharp, The New York City Jazz Record

“The music evolves organically with each member entering slowly one at a time, the tension building as it goes. As the tenor player starts to erupt, he is backed by a flurry of interaction between the vibes, keyboards, bass and drums. The music is mostly continuous, so the sounds often flow into one another. This is an inspired session that is well-captured and fascinating throughout without any grandstanding.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

Recorded live at the Axis Arts Centre, MMU Cheshire, on March 5th 2014
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jason Woolley
Produced by Adam Fairhall

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