Tyshawn Sorey - Alloy

[CraigP]

Composer/drummer Tyshawn Sorey has a new trio CD on Pi Recordings called Alloy. Here's an excerpt from my review:

"Alloy is an album that draws you in with its introspective beginning, and an almost deceptive simplicity. But the four compositions Tyshawn Sorey has prepared for the listener reveal greater depths with each listen, and end up traversing a great deal of territory...

I’ve always admired the fact that Mr. Sorey’s music isn’t about the drums per se, his primary instrument, but is always in service to the composition and the group as a whole. His previous album on Pi, Oblique-I, seemed overly indebted to M-Base and was too much of a good thing – I wore out before the entire CD was finished. But on Alloy his structures support superb interaction between the trio, and I think I know which sections are composed, but I’m not sure – not that it matters in the end.

No matter how egalitarian a piano trio, it’s hard not to focus on the pianist, and Cory Smyth demands the spotlight by conjuring a remarkable range of expressiveness, from wee-hours-of-the-morning quietude to a rumbling attack that will remind one of Cecil Taylor. He can play with real economy and restraint when he chooses, without losing the thread of the narrative he’s creating. In these moments he shows a kinship with Craig Taborn’s ECM output.

If an alloy is composed of two materials such as two metals, then this Alloy is a compound with no distinct boundary between compositional and improvisational materials..."

You can read the full review of Alloy on Improvised Blog.

[David Ayers]

Thanks for the review.

Should that be 'Professor'? I do know he hasn't got his doctorate yet, so Mr may be correct. Poor old Professor Braxton who seems to have originated this 'Mr' malarkey commonly gets busted down to Mr. And he has a doctorate. Honorary. But still. Courtesy demands.

[CraigP]

I see your point, but I don't believe he has his Doctorate yet.

[Hoppy T. Frog]

Thanks for the review.

Should that be 'Professor'? I do know he hasn't got his doctorate yet, so Mr may be correct. Poor old Professor Braxton who seems to have originated this 'Mr' malarkey commonly gets busted down to Mr. And he has a doctorate. Honorary. But still. Courtesy demands.

Thanks for the review.

Should that be 'Professor'? I do know he hasn't got his doctorate yet, so Mr may be correct. Poor old Professor Braxton who seems to have originated this 'Mr' malarkey commonly gets busted down to Mr. And he has a doctorate. Honorary. But still. Courtesy demands.

IIRC, I think Braxton has said he prefers "Mr." I think we should call him 'Fess.

[Leeway]

Not to get too heavy about it, but the "Mister" and other forms of address that indicate respect can be important to individuals or groups that typically faced a lot of disrespect (and maybe still do).

[ejp626]

I know people can get worked up over just about anything, and this is no exception. Some people feel it is disrespectful to medical doctors that Ph.D.s also get the title. I think Ph.D.s do deserve the title, though one is a prat if one insists on it in non-academic settings. I have very mixed feelings about honorary doctorates, however. I really don't think they should be called Dr. no matter how much they busted their ass in "the school of life," but maybe that's just me.

[AllenLowe]

well, until I was five, I thought my name was "Stupid."

[jlhoots]

The NYT called Meat Loaf, Mr. Loaf.