A collaborative album from pianist Sam Miller and drummer Matt Badger, Shiprock enamors with quite a lot of gripping soundscapes. The all-instrumental album impresses in its eclectic tonal vary, from serene and ethereal piano-led dreaminess to brisk jazz-inclined rhythmic depth. The duo first collaborated by way of an impromptu jam session in 2010. Now, 15 years later, Shiprock finds them placing forth a powerful atmospheric mystique and spectacular musicianship all through the discharge, which is out by way of Jenny Invert Information.
A climactic brightness emanates on opening observe “Voyage,” the place lush piano and jazzy percussive momentum meld with cohesive immersion. The enveloping “Horizon Sure” comes subsequent, bolstering the duo’s compelling piano and percussive interaction with the attractive cello work of Lori Goldston. Melodic piano pulses ease into initially subdued cello accompaniments, increasing with cinematic-feeling grandeur because the construction unfolds. A extra prancing piano-set magnificence traverses into the two-minute flip, attaining an effervescent sense of readability. A moody, dramatic success, “Horizon Sure” showcases the robust musical chemistry between Miller and Badger — and in addition their capacity to focus on proficient collaborators like Goldston, famous for her versatility throughout a legendary profession, spanning from being the touring cellist for Nirvana to acclaimed solo work.
The album’s lead single, “Sunglint” is exemplary of how the Miller-Badger partnership excels in increasing each piano and rhythm-based colour and emotion. Illuminated piano tones construct with playfully inviting qualities throughout the primary half, because the rhythm part presents a gradual total accompaniment. A stirring evolution takes maintain simply previous to the two-minute mark, the place bouncy bass and extra expressive percussion align with the harmonious piano gliding for an impactful enthrallment. “Sunglint” additionally launched alongside a beautiful in-session music video, directed by Chris Cunningham.
One other standout, “Hypnagogia” combines stately piano and twinkling additions for what feels just like the album’s most introspective effort. The glistening keys discover heat embrace within the extra subdued rhythm part, whereas shimmering string-laden feelings run enjoyably at factors within the background. The soundscape invokes visions of a blissful spring day, whether or not inside a gently pouring rainfall or basking in a mellow sunshine. The following “Present” strikes again into brisker territory; whereas “Hypnagogia” largely emphasised piano, “Present” dazzles in its rhythmic precision. A contagious but hypnotic vitality flows from the ceaseless percussive vitality, filling every house with a daytime jazz breeziness.
“Foghorn” is a very triumphant-sounding success, once more incorporating Goldston’s cello work, now along with flugelhorn participant Eric Padget. The comforting infusion of brass performs cohesively inside a dynamic total show, starting from the wistful lushness of piano round mid-point to the primary half’s extra expansive cello/flugelhorn/rhythm intertwining. Shiprock is a implausible total show in songwriting and atmospheric prowess from the proficient collaborative duo of Sam Miller and Matt Badger.