Wonder Is the Beginning

Empirical dont receive the same level of intense media hype as their peers on Englands jazz scene. Perhaps its because theyre an acoustic quartet, or that theyve been releasing records since 2007 (Courtney Pine and Kit Downes played on their eponymous debut), or that they dont fit the fusion or nu-jazz profiles, either. Empirical are a post-bop powerhouse playing high impact, progressive jazz that often crosses the avant-garde border, in original, straight-ahead jazz. Wonder Is the Beginning is the quartets debut on Michael Janischs Whirlwind Records after five previous long players -- the latest in 2016 -- and a pair of later, self-released EPs. The Empirical quartet -- Nathaniel Facey on alto saxophone; Lewis Wright on vibraphone; Tom Farmer on double bass, and Shaney Forbes on drums -- are joined by veteran pianist Jason Rebello (Wayne Shorter, Jeff Beck) on all but one cut, and rising British tenor saxophone star Alex Hitchcock on three tracks. "The Naitoku," one of five tunes by Farmer, opens the set and features Rebello and both saxophonists. The title refers to a beginning students practice of Buddhism and those who support them (sanga). Vibes, droning bass, and rumbling tom-toms introduce the tune. Rebello joins with rubato dark chords, before drums and saxophones articulate the theme; first tenor, then alto. Wrights vibes paint the backdrop, giving Rebello more room to bridge the saxophonists solos. With its shifting tempos and modes, the tune is a labyrinth with a circular rhythmic signature and perfect at just under eight minutes. The ballad "True Cost" offers the sextet delivering a gorgeous ballad. Wright uses pedals on his vibes, creating a flowing sense of reverb in his interplay with Rebello, Facey, and Hitchcock. After a gauzy intro, Farmer leads the pianist into a bluesy exchange with Hitchcocks tenor. "She Moves," composed by Wright, commences as a ballad before swinging out in midtempo with the post-bop blues. "Saha World" walks the tightrope between abstraction, vanguard balladry, and harmonic invention with killer work from Rebello and Wright; their conversation is subtle yet captivating and rangey. "As the Eagle Flies" is a vanguard exercise in modalism with carefully constructed cadences and accents. Rebello, Forbes, and Facey stagger crescendos and accents in pursuing the elusive melody. Closer "Wonder Is the Feeling" is delivered in stretched-out waltz time. It balances contrasting harmonies from the pianist, vibraphonist, and altoist. They continually return to the assonant swinging chorus anchored by Forbes. Faceys solo is knotty, lyrical, and nearly transcendent, while Rebellos blocky expressionist chords, fills, and intervallic vamps provide the formidable rhythm section a foil. It would have been great to get a longer album after eight years, but one cant complain about the depth and vision of the music on Wonder Is the Beginning. Given its intense focus, ambition, and elegant taste, the albums reception should translate into global awareness for Empirical and their poignant, resonant, always innovative, progressive post-bop. ~ Thom Jurek