Those who know Piet Mondrian's painting Broadway Boogie-Woogie (in the early Forties) would recognise it offered a visual parallel to the buzz of activity that was New York streetlife and jazz at the time. And they might look at the more abrupt design and colours of solo pianist Hermione Johnson's Colour Code cover (right) and speculate . . .
They wouldn't be far wrong. Here is Auckland resident Johnson recorded in Berlin on a series of pieces (on and in the piano) which explore the full dynamics of the instrument from crashing atonality to delicate raindrop randomness.
She also brings a darkly romantic quality on All the Acids of the Future, and Ola Ola right at the end is full of abrupt stops and swerves. Aside from the six minute opener, these are mostly short pieces -- the album clocks in at just 22 minutes -- but she proves the less-is-more principle in improvisations which are intensely focused. The belligerent 121 Cm is a real lapel-grabber and crams an enormous amount of energy and musical information into its 1.44 seconds.
Colour Code is an excellent entry in the iiii release schedule.
credits
from Colour Code,
released November 2, 2012
Hermione Johnson - piano
This pairing of saxophonist Sikora and pedal steel manipulator Alcorn seemed curious at first. Their respective sounds are notably distinct. And yet, as any improvisers of repute will be able to do, they align with one another for a rather compelling set.
https://avantmusicnews.com/2024/03/03/amn-reviews-catherine-sikora-and-susan-alcorn-filament-2024-relative-pitch-records/ Michael Borella