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Jamie Alexander Smith: Kinesis
BySo what can be expected from the improvising pianist? Maybe some free-form passages, some aggressive pounding on the keyboard, dissonance? Smith is never in thrall to these improvisational clichés. His approach stresses rhythm and melody and his playing is characterised by a cool confidencehe's in control, mind always ahead of his hands.
On "Release" Smith's delicate right hand patterns sparkle. "Kinetic" has the skittish energy the title suggeststhe right hand is now more percussive, more frenetic. Shifts of pace and tone come thick and fast on "Undercurrent" and "WKG." Numerous ideas emerge, yet both tunes have a basic cohesivenessthe ideas never jar with each other, never sound random or haphazard. "Channelling" channels the spirit of the blues, a spot of stride, a bit of boogie. It's immediately engaging and likeablea familiar sound that doesn't stretch Smith's imagination but does show that he can lay down some old-school grooves.
Kinesis clocks in at around 20 minutes, enough time for Smith to demonstrate his imaginative scope as well as his musical chops. If Smith can maintain this level of inventive musicianship across a full-length album then he's definitely a player with potential.
Track Listing
Kinetic; Undercurrent; Channelling; Release; WKG (Bonus Track).
Personnel
Jamie Alexander Smith
pianoJamie Smith: piano.
Album information
Title: Kinesis | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Jamie Alexander Smith
Instrument: Piano
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Kinesis