Eyes Shut Tight

“Evolution”

Eyes Shut Tight are a Yorkshire based trio led by double bassist Paul Baxter. This self released album first appeared in October 2010 and features eight original Baxter compositions, the concluding three exhibiting distinct prog rock tendencies and seeming to comprise a mini suite. Joining Baxter in the group are pianist Jonny Tomlinson of the band If Destroyed Still True and acclaimed young drummer Kristoffer Wright. Both are graduates of the influential Leeds College of Music jazz course.

Baxter states that the band name is derived from their “intuitive group dynamic” and it’s certainly true that this is a highly democratic unit, very much in the spirit of the contemporary jazz piano trio. Comparisons have been drawn with most of the usual suspects-E.S.T., The Bad Plus, Tom Cawley’s Curios and the Kit Downes Trio-but in view of Baxter’s leadership of the band perhaps Jasper Hoiby’s Phronesis is the most obvious parallel.

Eyes Shut Tight have acquired quite a reputation on the Northern and East Midlands jazz circuits with their brand of grooving, melodic, contemporary piano jazz and have already made their London début with an appearance at the Black Heath Hall in January 2011. “Evolution” should enhance their standing still further as the trio becomes Baxter’s main creative outlet. He also appears in a more mainstream trio with Wright and pianist Richard Wetherall and is also a member of 5 Pieces Of Silver, a Horace Silver tribute band. 

The album opens with “Green Tea”, an excellent slice of contemporary piano jazz with an attractive melody and a high degree of interaction between the players. Not that the trio are afraid to leave space and to allow each other to breathe- “Green Tea” contains a lengthy passage of solo piano. Indeed the contributions of Baxter and Wright are well judged with the percussionist’s filigree cymbal work particularly impressive.

“Time Of Arrival” follows almost seamlessly, unfolding in a leisurely, almost cinematic manner with the leader’s bass playing coming to the fore. Again it’s both highly melodic and thoroughly contemporary, the melody led by Tomlinson’s piano arpeggios as Wright provides splashes of colour straight from the Motian/Christensen school. Although it’s eminently accessible the trio still throw in plenty of knotty, time shifting elements with Baxter anchoring everything from the bass.

“Dekonnink” utilises a more orthodox jazz swing feel and borrows judiciously from the standard “Stella By Starlight”. It also offers Baxter to demonstrate his considerable abilities as a soloist, his tone rich and assured above Tomlinson’s piano chords and the chatter of Wright’s brushes.

By contrast the ballad “Angular” begins in deeply atmospheric territory, full of deep bass resonances, sparse piano chords and appropriately sympathetic drumming. Eventually a flowing melody emerges, providing the inspiration for excellent solos from Tomlinson and Baxter.

“www” features the outstanding drumming of Wright, full of colour and controlled power above a backdrop of piano and muscular bass.

“Evolution ( The Beginning)” may have a prog rock style title but at just under twelve minutes it’s also the centre piece of the album and a good calling card for both Baxter’s writing and the trio’s improvisational skills. The piece covers several styles from the delicately atmospheric to full on grooving as the trio move up and down the gears, varying moods and tempos and blending structure and freedom with Baxter’s bass sometimes taking the lead. It’s consistently engrossing and encompasses an impressive stylistic range.

“How The Sun Rises (Morning Has Broken)” erupts with a volcanic barrage from Wright’s drums. Tomlinson’s opening piano chords are no less thunderous and he later dives under the lid, plucking and striking at the strings in counterpoint to Baxter’s bass groove. Apart from a brief interlude of grainy arco bass it’s all sound and fury and something of a show-stopper in a live situation one suspects. 

“Cactai (The End)” adopts a more optimistic feel but is still driven by interlocking bass and drum grooves with Baxter providing the pulse and Wright the clatter and colour. It’s left to Tomlinson to fill in the gaps, which he does with considerable aplomb contributing a dazzling solo.

With “Evolution” Eyes Shut Tight have quickly established themselves as a distinctive voice in the crowded field of the contemporary piano trio. They may sound a little like each of the groups mentioned above- and on the occasions when they really go for it like the Neil Cowley Trio-but they still emerge with a strong identity of their own. This is an assured début that illustrates Baxter’s abilities as a writer and the trio’s considerable playing abilities. The mix of styles is a good demonstration of the group’s versatility as they tackle a broad range of moods and textures.

“Evolution” deserves to see the group break out of their Northern heartlands to become a presence on the national jazz scene. It is to be hoped that they will get the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on the summer festival circuit. 

For more information on Paul Baxter and his music go to http://www.paulbaxtermusic.com

blog comments powered by Disqus