High Quality Vinyl Double LP!
Imaginary Cities is the recording premiere of saxophonist Chris Potters Underground Orchestra. At the core of this larger ensemble is the personnel of his long-established Underground Quartet with Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith now joined by two bassists, a string quartet, and Potters old comrade from Dave Holland Quintet days, vibes and marimba man Steve Nelson. The title composition is a suite, panoramic in its reach, with movements subtitled Compassion, Dualities, Disintegration and Rebuilding. The scope of the work, and its contrasting moods and thematic development, inspire some of Potters finest playing. His saxes fly high above his idealized cityscapes or launch into dialogues or group improvising with its gifted inhabitants. Four further pieces Lament, Firefly, Sky and Shadow Self extend the feeling of the suite, successfully combining both tightly written material and very open areas involving all members of the orchestra. References are multi-idiomatic and multicultural, and Potter, who counts Charlie Parker with Strings amongst his formative enthusiasms, had Arabic and Indian string sections in mind, as well as contemporary composition, when shaping this material. Imaginary Cities was recorded in December 2013 in New Yorks Avatar Studio and produced by Manfred Eicher.
Features:
High Quality Pressing
Double LP
Gatefold Jacket
Musicians:
Chris Potter, tenor & soprano saxophone, bass clarinet
Adam Rogers, guitars
Craig Taborn, piano
Steve Nelson, vibraphone, marimba
Fima Ephron, bass guitar
Scott Colley, acoustic bass
Nate Smith, drums
Mark Feldman, violin
Joyce Hammann, violin
Lois Martin, viola
David Eggar, cello
Selections:
1. Lament
2. Imaginary Cities 1 Compassion
3. Imaginary Cities 2 Dualitites
4. Imaginary Cities 3 Disintegration
5. Imaginary Cities 4 Rebuilding
6. Firefly
7. Shadow Self
8. Sky
Recorded December 2013
Imaginary Cities is the recording premiere of saxophonist Chris Potters Underground Orchestra. At the core of this larger ensemble is the personnel of his long-established Underground Quartet with Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith now joined by two bassists, a string quartet, and Potters old comrade from Dave Holland Quintet days, vibes and marimba man Steve Nelson. The title composition is a suite, panoramic in its reach, with movements subtitled Compassion, Dualities, Disintegration and Rebuilding. The scope of the work, and its contrasting moods and thematic development, inspire some of Potters finest playing. His saxes fly high above his idealized cityscapes or launch into dialogues or group improvising with its gifted inhabitants. Four further pieces Lament, Firefly, Sky and Shadow Self extend the feeling of the suite, successfully combining both tightly written material and very open areas involving all members of the orchestra. References are multi-idiomatic and multicultural, and Potter, who counts Charlie Parker with Strings amongst his formative enthusiasms, had Arabic and Indian string sections in mind, as well as contemporary composition, when shaping this material. Imaginary Cities was recorded in December 2013 in New Yorks Avatar Studio and produced by Manfred Eicher.
Features:
High Quality Pressing
Double LP
Gatefold Jacket
Musicians:
Chris Potter, tenor & soprano saxophone, bass clarinet
Adam Rogers, guitars
Craig Taborn, piano
Steve Nelson, vibraphone, marimba
Fima Ephron, bass guitar
Scott Colley, acoustic bass
Nate Smith, drums
Mark Feldman, violin
Joyce Hammann, violin
Lois Martin, viola
David Eggar, cello
Selections:
1. Lament
2. Imaginary Cities 1 Compassion
3. Imaginary Cities 2 Dualitites
4. Imaginary Cities 3 Disintegration
5. Imaginary Cities 4 Rebuilding
6. Firefly
7. Shadow Self
8. Sky
Recorded December 2013
