Union is the second album by Paradoxical Frog, a collective trio consisting of pianist Kris Davis, saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. It was recorded in 2011 and released on the Portuguese Clean Feed label.[1]
| Union | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Paradoxical Frog | ||||
| Released | 2012 | |||
| Recorded | October 10, 2011 | |||
| Studio | System Two, Brooklyn | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 71:50 | |||
| Label | Clean Feed | |||
| Producer | Kris Davis, Ingrid Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey | |||
| Kris Davis chronology | ||||
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| Ingrid Laubrock chronology | ||||
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Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz |   [2] |
| Down Beat |  [3] |
| The Free Jazz Collective | [4] |
The Down Beat review by Bill Meyer says that, "This music is so concerned with essence that it sometimes errs on the side of severity; one wishes for just a bit more payoff after so much restraint."[3]
In a double review for JazzTimes Lloyd Sachs states, "That Union is [fun] speaks to how much Davis, Laubrock and Sorey enjoy not only their group concept, but playing in each other's company."[5]
Martin Longley of the BBC commented: "The concept behind this trio is one of complete equality. Sometimes the trio can perform in a completely improvising frame of mind, but this recording inserts a significant ratio of composed themes, naturally infused with more spontaneous diversions. Each member contributes their own pieces... All spheres are open to the Frog."[6]
The Free Jazz Collective's Paolo Casertano called the album "fascinating," and remarked: "Every musician takes his time to distil few powerful notes... This is, among the trio releases I've been lately listening to, maybe the closest to a spoken conversation. I have no other words to describe it."[4]
Track listing
edit- "An Intermittent Procession" (Sorey) – 2:19
- "First Strike" (Laubrock) – 5:52
- "Fear the Fairy Dust" (Davis) – 11:03
- "Second Strike" (Laubrock) – 7:07
- "Figment 2012" (Sorey) – 9:03
- "Union" (Davis) – 10:22
- "Masterisk" (Laubrock) – 12:17
- "Repose" (Sorey) – 12:15
- "Third Strike, You're Out" (Laubrock) – 1:32
Personnel
editReferences
edit- ^ Union at Clean Feed
- ^ "Paradoxical Frog: Union". All About Jazz. May 27, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Meyer, Bill. Union review. Down Beat March 13: page 66. Print.
- ^ a b Casertano, Paolo (December 11, 2012). "Paradoxical Frog - Union". The Free Jazz Collective. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Sachs, Lloyd. Union review at JazzTimes
- ^ Longley, Martin (2012). "Paradoxical Frog Union Review". BBC. Retrieved November 16, 2023.