This superb album opens another chapter in Surman's ever impressive discography, and could be subtitled the amazing adventures of john and jack. Although having first played together some thirteen years previously, this documents the first time the pair had worked as a duo. So comprehensive is the saxophonist's discography for ECM with his remarkable series of solo album, the Brass Project, and the recordings featuring Chris Laurence and (the string quartet) Trans4mation it is easy to overlook the inspirational and productive work of the Surman/DeJohnette duo.
Whereas, by the very nature of their conception, the solo recordings worked within a pre-determined and somewhat rhythmically inflexible framework, the albums with DeJohnette certainly did not. The addition of the drummer immediately provided the saxophonist with a different setting in which to present his multi-tracked compositions utilising synths as well as his horns, but also for some exhilarating dialogues with either saxophone or bass clarinet. Such dialogues are 'The Buccaneers' and 'Phoenix And The Fire' where Surman's soprano jostles and jousts with the DeJohnette's intricately propulsive patterns, that as they themselves break free of any sense of predetermined constraints release the saxophone to wonder ever more freely. 'The Pilgrim's Way (To The Seventeen Walls)' dances to a different beat, this time provided by DeJohnette on congas, with bass clarinet recounting the pilgrim's journey, and the lovely 'Fide Et Amore (By Faith And Love)' is a haunting ballad with electric piano and baritone saxophone, that captures each nuance and timbre of both instruments with the notes hanging in the air.
If Surman was looking how to expand his concept from the solo recordings into a live and more interactive context, this process can be viewed at close quarters on the tracks where multiple horns and overdubs are used. The opening piece, 'Nestor's Saga (The Tale Of The Ancient), begins with a synthesizer motif that repeats and over this electronic backdrop Surman's bass clarinet lays out a melodic that is allowed to evolve and develop, with the spell only to be broken with the introduction of soprano saxophone and DeJohnette's drums that lift the music with an additional and flexible rhythmic momentum. This device is also heard on 'Merry Pranks (The Jester's Song)'' with this time DeJohnette in dialogue with Surman's bass clarinet, that allows a looseness and flexibility in performance that these two remarkable musicians would explore further in future releases and concerts. A compelling and essential listen for anyone interested in the work of either musician. - jazz review.net
Tracks
1. Part I Nestor's Saga (The Tale Of The Ancient) (John Surman)
2. Part II The Buccaneers (John Surman)
3. Part III Kentish Hunting (Lady Margaret's Air) (John Surman)
4. Part IV The Pilgrim's Way (To The Seventeen Walls) (John DeJohnette/John Surman)
5. Part V Within The Halls Of Neptune (John Surman)
6. Part VI Phoenix And The Fire (Jack DeJohnette/John Surman)
7. Part VII Fide Et Amore (By Faith And Love) (Jack DeJohnette/John Surman)
8. Part VIII Merry Pranks (The Jester's Song) (John Surman)
9. Part XI A Fitting Epitaph (John Surman)
JACK DeJOHNETTE drums, congas, electric piano, piano
JOHN SURMAN soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer
Recorded January 1981 at Talent Studio, Oslo
ECM records - ECM 1193