Kaleidoscope & Collage by STEPHAN CRUMP - STEVE LEHMAN

Intakt CD 184

Steve Lehman and Stephan Crump are two of the most exciting agents of the young New York jazz scene. Crump has earned considerable acclaim as a member of Vijay Iyer's trio and quartet. Steve Lehman made his mark with his octet and CDs as "Travail, Transformation and Flow".

Their first recording for Intakt Records entitled KALEIDOSCOPE & COLLAGE presents two extended pieces, "Terroir" and "Voyages". The CD stands out due to the artists' musical skills, their sensitivity and great awareness of shape and style. The scope of dynamics and timbre is far and wide, the communication between the two musicians sharp-witted and alive.

The New York journalist David Adler states in the liner notes: "It's a given that creative musicians work long and hard to master their instruments and develop an individual sound. But there's another thing that separates the technically gifted player from the transcendent one. It's what we might call the collaborative ear, that vital sixth sense that enables improvisers to bring out the best in each other and fashion meaningful stories, even while embracing the hazard of playing without a set script. Bassist Stephan Crump and alto saxophonist Steve Lehman imbue all their work with that sense of trust and openness."

This fact as well as the charming musical atmosphere make KALEIDOSCOPE & COLLAGE an outstanding release.