Vijay Iyer is one of the most visionary and versatile pianists and composers in jazz today. His music spans a wide range of genres, styles, and collaborations, always with a sense of exploration and innovation. His latest album, “Compassion”, recorded at Oktaven Audio in Mount Vernon, New York, and produced by Iyer and ECM's Manfred Eicher, serves as a testament to his artistic maturity and his deep connection with his trio mates, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. Following their acclaimed Uneasy, this album marks a creative leap, showcasing their collective brilliance, sensitivity, and intensity.
The album consists of 12 tracks, most of them original compositions by Iyer, with a few covers and tributes. The music ranges from the pensive and lyrical title track, to the hook-laden and groovy “Tempest” and “Ghostrumental”, to the powerful and adventurous interpretation of Stevie Wonder's “Overjoyed”, which Iyer dedicated to the late Chick Corea. The album also features a medley of two pieces by John Stubblefield and Geri Allen, a whirlwind rendition of Roscoe Mitchell's “Nonaah”, and a graceful homage to South African activist Desmond Tutu with “Arch”.
The trio of Iyer, Oh, and Sorey is a formidable force in jazz, as each member brings their own distinctive voice, virtuosity, and vision to the music. Iyer is a master of rhythmic complexity, harmonic sophistication, and melodic invention, as well as a prolific composer and bandleader. Oh is a versatile and expressive bassist, who can anchor the groove, weave intricate counterpoint, or soar as a soloist. Sorey is a complete musician, who can play with subtlety, power, or anything in between, as well as a composer and educator of renown. Together, they form a cohesive and dynamic unit that can communicate almost telepathically.
The album benefits from the impeccable sound quality and aesthetic sensibility of ECM, the label that has been home to many jazz legends and innovators. The recording captures the warmth and clarity of the trio's sound, as well as the atmosphere and spontaneity of their interaction. The album also reflects the trio's artistic choices and influences, paying homage to colleagues and musical mentors, as well as drawing inspiration from various musical traditions and cultures.
Compassion is an album that beautifully showcases the trio’s remarkable range and versatility as they navigate through different moods, tempos, and textures with ease and flair. It opens with the introspective title track, setting the tone for the rest of the music. The trio then transitions to 'Arch,' a graceful and elegant piece that Iyer composed for Desmond Tutu, the South African activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. They play the piece with a gentle and reverent touch, creating a serene and beautiful atmosphere. The album then takes a creative leap with a stunning rendition of 'Overjoyed,' one of Stevie Wonder’s classic songs. They transform it into a tour de force of improvisation and expression, showcasing their remarkable talent and musical prowess.
The trio's virtuosity shines in Maelstrom, a thrilling piece that captures their rhythmic and harmonic complexity. Prelude: Orison serves as a delicate interlude, where Iyer incorporates a theme from his earlier composition, For My Father, a touching piece dedicated to his father. This is followed by the catchy and upbeat tune, Tempest. The album then slows down with Panegyric, one of the three pieces (along with Tempest and Maelstrom) that Iyer composed for an event honoring the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic. The trio performs these pieces with a respectful and heartfelt touch, evoking a profound sense of empathy and reflection for the challenging times we face.
The album then picks up the pace with 'Nonaah,' a composition by Roscoe Mitchell, one of Iyer’s mentors and a pioneer of avant-garde jazz. The trio infuses the piece with a furious and frenetic energy. Following 'Nonaah,' the album features the next three pieces: 'Where I Am,' 'Ghostrumental,' and 'It Goes,' all composed by Iyer for the ensemble project Ghosts Everywhere I Go, inspired by Chicago poet Eve L. Ewing. The trio delivers these pieces with a range of moods and styles, transitioning seamlessly from calm and cozy to spirited and funky, and finally to somber and solemn. These performances reflect Iyer's deep connection and collaboration with Ewing, as well as his empathy and solidarity with victims of racial violence. Notably, the ballad 'It Goes' was originally paired with verses envisioning the life Emmett Till could have had, tragically cut short by a racist incident in Mississippi in 1955 when he was only 14 years old.
The trio tips its hat to two jazz giants, John Stubblefield and Geri Allen, with a medley of Free Spirits and Drummer’s Song. The former swings with the group’s distinctive pulse, while the latter borrows a slice of Geri Allen’s Drummer’s Song, a groove-fest that radiates happiness and exuberance. The combo of tunes showcases the trio’s lively exchange and heartfelt expression, wrapping up the album on a high note.
Compassion invites listeners on a journey of meditation, prayer, and dialogue, offering a musical exploration of the trio's artistic vision and values. It serves as an invitation for listeners to cultivate empathy and understanding. The album stands as a testament to the trio's remarkable range and versatility, effortlessly navigating through different moods, tempos, and textures with flair. Experimenting with a variety of musical elements, they lead listeners on an adventure of discovery, from upbeat and funky tunes to graceful and elegant pieces infused with joy and passion.
In the end, Compassion stands as a compelling voice in contemporary music, firmly establishing the Vijay Iyer Trio as a force to be reckoned with in today's jazz scene. It serves as a testament to their collective brilliance, sensitivity, and intensity, reflecting their empathy, solidarity, and joy amidst a turbulent world. The album is a showcase of their remarkable range and versatility, paying tribute to their mentors and peers while also reflecting their artistic choices and influences. It's a celebration of their individual and collective brilliance, serving as a call to action for listeners to cultivate empathy and understanding. Above all, it's a powerful testament to the transformative power of music, touching the mind, heart, and soul.
Keep listening, keep dreaming, keep swinging!