AMN Reviews: Rodrigo Amado Motion trio with Alexander von Schlippenbach – The Field (2021; NoBusiness Records)

The Field is a single 56-minute track recorded at the 2019 Vilnius Jazz Festival. On it, Rodrigo Amado (sax), Miguel Mira (cello), and Gabriel Ferrandini (drums) are joined by long-time free-jazz pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach. Even without a fourth collaborator, the Motion Trio is known for setting forth dense and lively improvisations. The addition of Schlippenbach pushes them even further in that direction.

In particular, the dialog between Amado and Schlippenbach is both intense and delicate. They engage in cooperative co-leads, each gently prodding the other. Case in point, Schlippenbach’s rolling structures and percussiveness serve as a contrasting role to Amado’s circling and angular solos. These joint efforts wax and wane in terms of energy level, from all-out to more introspective passages. Mira and Ferrandini are similarly active, though the former is unfortunately a bit lost in the mix during the louder sections. Nonetheless, this ostensible rhythm section provides a clanging set of labyrinthine patterns that are quite listenable even if taken in isolation.

In short, this is free jazz for those who enjoy information-rich offerings where all participants are forging their own paths as part of a collective effort. The Field was released July 2021 on NoBusiness Records, and is nothing short of a bracing. Well done.