Anat Fort's second project for ECM follows along the spiritual and meditative lines of her first recording A Long Story. Here the pianist from Israel uses shorter, thematic forms that glide gently toward their conclusions, beautifully flowered, and crafted with light colors. This is just a trio effort, which contrasts from the previous date that featured clarinetist Perry Robinson, drummer Paul Motian, and bassist Ed Schuller. Here Fort, Gary Wang (bass), and Roland Schneider (drums) weave their way through relatively concise original compositions with serenity firmly in place. That's not to say Fort is completely averse to energy or aggressive themes, digging in to the funky, quirky "Nu." Typical during the circular, minimalist waltz "Some," or the wafting then flowing "Clouds Moving," Fort's piano tends to lean toward lovely, passive phrasings that envelop the heart. Hymn-like and folk-oriented sounds are also heard, including tributes to Motian and the U.S. state of Minnesota. And If suggests Fort's roots in her native Middle East are merging toward American influences with increasing depth. - Michael G. Nastos
Working with legendary drummer Paul Motian on her first ECM release, A Long Story (2007), must have been a formative experience for pianist Anat Fort. On And If, her second release for the German label, she opens and closes the set with two readings of "Paul Motian." These are inward, time-standing-still tunes, showcasing Fort's spare and spacious approach to her instrument, with the abstractly nuanced accompaniment of her regular trio-mates, bassist Gary Wang and drummer Roland Schneider.
By and large less gregarious than A Long Story, And If can bubble with forward-leaning energy, as it does on the ebullient "Clouds Moving." And the disc bristles with a dangerous-sounding vibe on "Nu." But ballad beauty makes up the majority of the music, with the wistful "Lanesboro," the gently-rolling "Minnesota," and the holy "En If," alongside the pensive "Paul Motian" twins.
"Something 'Bout Camels," reworked and stretched out from A Long Story's version, gathers into existence on an eerie whine, eventually punctuated by single piano notes, leading to an evolution into mystic trio effervescence.
A Long Story, not initially recorded for ECM but brought there by Motian for consideration, set the bar high for Fort. It received lots of positive press and found its way onto year end top ten lists. Her sophomore And If is every bit as beautiful and more personal, delivering on the promises made by Fort's wonderful debut. Dan McClenaghan / allaboutjazz.com
Tracks
01. Paul Motian (1)
02. Clouds Moving
03. En If
04. Some
05. Something ‘Bout Camels
06. If
07. Lanesboro
08. Minnesota
09. Nu
10. Paul Motian (2)
ANAT FORT piano
GARY WANG bass
ROLAND SCHNEIDER drums
Music composed by Anat Fort
Recorded February 2009 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo
ECM Records – ECM 2109 (Germany)