(Contemporary Jazz, Modern Creative) [CD] Liberty Ellman (with Steve Lehman, Jonathan Finlayson, Jose Davila, Stephan Crump & Damion Reid) - Radiate - 2015 [Pi Recordings], FLAC (tracks), lossless

Guitarist Liberty Ellman works at the crossroads of intellectual inquisitiveness and rabid expressionism. That's been evident both in his own small but impressive discography and in his musical travels with Henry Threadgill's Zooid over the past fifteen years.
On Radiate—Ellman's first album in nine years, third on the Pi Recordings imprint—those two roads quickly meet. The album-opening "Supercell" proves to be a deep-grooving masterpiece that plays unification and disconnection against each other to create something magical. Damion Reid's drums and Jose Davila's tuba come together to create otherworldly, funky, and unpredictable grooves before Ellman and the remaining horns—alto saxophonist Steve Lehman and trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson—burst in from all sides, muscling their way into the picture, joining forces, and finishing each other's sentences before Ellman takes the baton and runs with it. Everybody makes an impact here, both as individuals and as cogs in this most fascinating and uniquely rolling wheel. The follow-up track—"Furthermore"—is more of an exploratory venture, looser in shape, but no less absorbing. In those two pieces, Ellman's attention to detail and willingness to let go both come to the surface.
As the album moves on, Ellman continues to work with shapes and, on occasion, shapelessness. "Rhinocerisms" returns to the idea of interlocking and opposing forces, with Lehman and Ellman traveling together and apart while the bottom end of the band pushes and pulls against them; "Moment Twice" is a trio vignette that gives Ellman a chance to exchange thoughts with Reid and bassist Stephan Crump; "A Motive" is another labyrinthine groove work that fits together in unexpected ways; and "Skeletope" starts with uncertainty before settling into a space where the band works as one and thins out for a Crump solo. The penultimate piece— "Vibrograph"—works many of the same angles that Ellman touches on earlier, but the album-ending "Enigmatic Runner" stretches beyond the rest of the material. It brings electric and acoustic thought together atop a skittery "drum 'n' bass" type of foundation.
Ellman's vision isn't so far off from Threadgill's, as dovetailing ideas, toying motifs, angular melodic lines, an appreciation for distinctive voices and instrumental combinations, and a loose-tight duality all play a part in the written and recorded works of each. Extreme organization is also present in the work of both men, but it's sometimes harder to hear that in Threadgill's expansive and challenging music. Ellman makes the nature of the order in his work clearer to the ear, as voices merge and detach in recognizable ways. His music is outward bound, but nobody could ever mistake it for being adrift.
The work of musicians who push the envelope is often easier to admire than enjoy, but Ellman has created something that's eminently listenable. Radiate is a joy to behold, as it's incredibly impressive in its complexity of vision and clarity. This one is certainly in the running for album of the year.
5/5 stars!
(Dan Bilawsky)

This is Liberty Ellman’s first solo release since 2006’s Ophiucus Butterfly and although it has been a long time coming it has been well worth the wait. As a long-standing member of Henry Threadgill’s Zooid it is not surprising that he brings some of these elements into his own music. With a crack band consisting of Steve Lehman on alto saxophone, Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet, Jose Davila on tuba and trombone, Stephan Crump on bass, and Damion Reid on drums, the guitarist delivers eight originals that are as consistent in artistic endeavour as they are diverse in mood and musical content.
The first track “Supercell” with it’s funky drum pattern and syncopated tuba line instantly conjures up a Threadgill-like feel where jagged rhythmic lines are well oiled and made to groove whilst the saxophone, trumpet and guitar initiate trading short phrases before Ellman excellently opens out his playing with some slick chromatic runs that pour from his guitar. The piece ends with a strong punctuated motivic line from the band whilst Lehman and Ellman, in unison, play a rapid syncopated melody over the top that is beautifully executed. “Furthermore” then offers a great contrast with it’s less overtly rhythmic feel and its open form that allows the individual musicians to really express themselves through their playing as if trying to reach some pinnacle of ecstasy. Whilst “Rhinoceros” grunts along with it’s tuba line that conjures up images of the powerful beast at the beginning before losing some of its programmatic content as the piece develops. Not being frightened to bring in some different sounds Ellman subtly introduces some effected textures into the background as washes of colour, which is also noticeable on the last track “Enigmatic Runner” with it’s inclusion of electronic drum ‘n’ bass type patterns. Liberty Ellman expertly weaves his melodic guitar lines through and around these rhythms to create a coherent and exciting finale to the album. He mainly plays with a warm, smooth tone to his guitar but isn’t averse to overdriving the sound on particular moments and when the piece demands it.
The ensemble playing on Radiate is right on the money and the band groove, swing and motor along on tunes whilst leaving plenty of room for exploratory playing and solos. Liberty Ellman is a fantastic free-jazz guitarist, composer and band leader, who has put together a really great album that contains a focus on a particular style and sonorousness whilst sounding liberating and fresh. Fans of Threadgill’s Zooid, melodic free jazz guitar and well thought out creative music making will want to hear this and hopefully not have to wait so long for a follow-up.
4,5/5 stars
(Chris Haines)