There is no doubt that Discus Music are becoming one of my very favourite labels, and I am pleased to again be listening to Stephen Grew given how much I enjoyed his last album, ‘Fire’. This time he was recording in a studio, and the result are three lengthy improvised piano pieces – apparently the session was only broken for two tea breaks, very British indeed! Three pieces which in total are just under an hour in length, all composed live in the moment by Stephen, going wherever he felt the music was taking him, which at times is gentle and relaxing and at others is dynamic and racing, so much so that it is difficult to comprehend just how quickly he is processing what he is hearing and where to take the music next. At times it is a gentle meandering brook while at others we are in the rapids or crashing over the edge like a waterfall, but like those droplets of water it is always connected and everything makes sense at the time.
The only way to listen to this is on headphones, and only when one is able to devote oneself to what is happening between the ears, as this is music which does not allow for any interferences whatsoever but really is a force of nature. Stephen says in the text that the Yamaha had an easy mechanism and an unusually bright tone, and he certainly revelled in getting the most out of it. He is a remarkable musician and yet again I find myself in thrall of what I was listening to and if you enjoy the piano being played by a true master who combines modern classical, jazz and avant garde, then this is very much for you.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://stepgrew.wixsite.com/stephengrewpianist
https://discus-music.org/