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  | TONY OXLEY ~ BEAMING
CONFRONT 13 ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is an album by iconic British Free Jazz / Improvising Music pioneer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist recorded with German percussionist Stefan HolkerFind albums by this artist, who is a member of Oxley’s Celebration OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Oxley is in charge of the album’s concept and electronics, whereas Holker plays acoustic percussion. The album presents a six-part improvised sonic painting divided into what Oxley calls “frames”.
Aged 81 at the time of the recording (2019) Oxley still fronts the European Music Avant-Garde as boldly as he did for many decades, proving that age is after all a state of mind, rather than a chronological phenomenon.
The music is, as expected, completely associative and the listener remains at liberty to interpret whatever comes into his mind at any given moment. Nevertheless, the aural experience presents a coherent continuum of sounds, which rather than telling a story tries to induce the storytelling within the listener’s brain, which results in as many different stories as individual listeners, or even listening sessions. The fact that the music is created solely by percussion instruments is insignificant as far as the result is concerned, since it sounds like performed by a full orchestra.
Oxley’s music is as unique as music can be and obviously is not able to communicate with everybody. It takes a lot of openness and submissiveness to embrace this music and let it into one’s mind and heart, which are not very common characteristics among music listeners, especially these days. But for those who are able to embrace his music, Oxley is a true Magician.
It is truly rewarding to see / hear Oxley being active and creative again and although Improvised Music usually works much better live that on record, this is one of the few cases where the music stands proudly on its own without the physical presence of the musicians. Of course all those who know Oxley’s music need little encouragement to reach out and grab a copy of this Gem!
| | Updated: 10/02/2021Posted: 10/02/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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