The Most Beautiful Sounds Next to Silence

Most of the album is composed by Towner, so classic and popular guitar idioms are very pronounced throughout. Vibraphone + guitar is not an easy blend, but the musicians bring all the expertise of their previous collaboration to make one terrific collection of moods. “Slide Show” opens with the swelling waves of flamenco harmony of “Maelstrom”. Worthy of Albeniz’s “Iberia”. Burton audibly loves the heated Spanish drama and delivers one of the most impressive solos of his career at the breakneck speed. Towner’s playing is not as showy on this one, but his dynamics and phrasing are exquisite. “Vessel” has a suspenseful pedal tone on vibes on top of which Towner weaves some bluesy riffing. Towards the second half the number solidifies into a creatively variated cadential phrase with a pop tune feel to it. After that we have an uptempo dance of “Around The Bend”. Things then proceed into dreamier realms with “Blue In Green” and “Beneath An Evening Sky” - all about shifting colours rather than melody or fits of virtuosity. Landscape-watching music, with the glass of wine. There is also some marimba playing by Burton on “The Donkey Jamboree” and “Innocenti”. The former is best forgotten, but “Innocenti” has a nice vamping groove to it, which is pleasantly minimal. This pairs nicely with the current heatwave.

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