Alexander Hawkins Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 I'm really excited to announce the arrival of my new album - my first effort in the piano trio format. The digital release is available from today, at this link: http://alexanderhawkinsmusic.bandcamp.com/releases- as well, shortly, as via the other usual digital platforms. (The digital release should also come with a download of the liner notes, which are by Richard Williams.) The physical copies are also here. The UK release date for this is April 13 (anyone over here then: please do join us at Cafe Oto that night for the launch gig!). Obviously I'd be especially delighted for people to pick up the physical thing, but completely understand any format preferences either way! It's also a first venture into self-release for me, so something of an experiment in that respect - so would really appreciate any feedback. I've held off doing a piano trio for a while...I guess it's a format with a lot of baggage...but I'm proud of what we've done with it, and hopefully it sounds more like itself than anything else...but at any rate: I hope people may be interested to check it out! Quote
relyles Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Is it possible to order the physical disk yet? Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Just dl that. Looking forward to it. You need to make a fuss of this too: Had a very nice Sunday afternoon listening to the album. Enjoyed both discs thoroughly. Will be following up Roberto Ottaviano (who pops up already in various nooks and crannies). Quote
xybert Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) Big Convergence Quartet fan but i haven't checked out any of the stuff under your own name yet. I'll be keen for a physical disc but i need to wait until payday next month. Edit: Got paid today! Ordered the Trio disc along with Song Singular. Edited April 14, 2015 by xybert Quote
mjazzg Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Big Convergence Quartet fan but i haven't checked out any of the stuff under your own name yet. I'll be keen for a physical disc but i need to wait until payday next month. Xybert, the AH Ensemble albums are well worth a listen if you don't want the trio disc to feel lonely on the journey south Quote
xybert Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Big Convergence Quartet fan but i haven't checked out any of the stuff under your own name yet. I'll be keen for a physical disc but i need to wait until payday next month. Xybert, the AH Ensemble albums are well worth a listen if you don't want the trio disc to feel lonely on the journey south Ha ha, i was seriously going to say that i'll probably order at least one other AH disc to avoid lonely disc syndrome but ended up leaving it out. Yeah checking out the stuff under his own name has been on my to do list for ages, quite looking forward to this actually. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 18, 2015 Author Report Posted March 18, 2015 Is it possible to order the physical disk yet? I do have some copies in fact, so I can hook you up! Will send a PM. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 18, 2015 Author Report Posted March 18, 2015 Just dl that. Looking forward to it. You need to make a fuss of this too: Had a very nice Sunday afternoon listening to the album. Enjoyed both discs thoroughly. Will be following up Roberto Ottaviano (who pops up already in various nooks and crannies). Thanks so much Bev - and for checking out Roberto's album! Do you know this one? I haven't heard it yet, but would love to hear him with Kenny! Big Convergence Quartet fan but i haven't checked out any of the stuff under your own name yet. I'll be keen for a physical disc but i need to wait until payday next month. Xybert, the AH Ensemble albums are well worth a listen if you don't want the trio disc to feel lonely on the journey south Ha ha, i was seriously going to say that i'll probably order at least one other AH disc to avoid lonely disc syndrome but ended up leaving it out. Yeah checking out the stuff under his own name has been on my to do list for ages, quite looking forward to this actually. Really kind of you - thanks! BTW I should mention that there'll be a vinyl-only Convergence Quartet album (on NoBusiness) appearing in May...will let you know! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Do you know this one? I haven't heard it yet, but would love to hear him with Kenny! I don't - will have to look that one up. Thanks for the rec. Quote
Clunky Posted March 18, 2015 Report Posted March 18, 2015 Just dl that. Looking forward to it. You need to make a fuss of this too: Had a very nice Sunday afternoon listening to the album. Enjoyed both discs thoroughly. Will be following up Roberto Ottaviano (who pops up already in various nooks and crannies). I'm after a physical copy of this. i think I'll try the label directly once I've worked out how to navigate their Italian only website. Quote
mjazzg Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 Do you know this one? I haven't heard it yet, but would love to hear him with Kenny! I don't - will have to look that one up. Thanks for the rec. 'Window steps' is a lovely recording. No Kenny fan will be disappointed with it. I first heard Ottaviano on this Mingus tribute years ago (when I was on a Splasch Records run) http://www.discogs.com/Roberto-Ottaviano-Six-Mobiles-Mingus-Portrait-In-Six-Colours/release/6606414 I remember it as being very good and will have to dig it out again Quote
relyles Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 Just dl that. Looking forward to it. You need to make a fuss of this too: Had a very nice Sunday afternoon listening to the album. Enjoyed both discs thoroughly. Will be following up Roberto Ottaviano (who pops up already in various nooks and crannies). I did not know about that disc. Looks like something I am going to have to hear. I have heard some live stuff featuring Ottaviano that I enjoyed. This looks like enough to motivate me to check him out further. Quote
colinmce Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 Ottoviano was a mainstay of Franz Koglmann's groups in the 80s and can be heard to advantage on all those classic Hat Art albums. Quote
B. Clugston Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 This sounds great. Congratulations! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 19, 2015 Author Report Posted March 19, 2015 This sounds great. Congratulations! Thank you! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 19, 2015 Report Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) Just listened to the new disc. Immediately engaging. I'm sure musicians hate having their music compared with others but if you want a reference point for general sound, think the Paul Bley trio records of the 60s/early 70s. If you love those you're likely to warm to this. Can a give a special mention for the three (I think) discs with slightly larger forces. I find these especially engaging (just because they fit with my own interest in jazz with a stronger composed element). They really do sound like nothing else I've heard - a wonderfully lobsided approach to melody, that feeling that you are always losing your footing yet you just right yourself before the next swerve. And you don't hear the joins between the composition and the improvisation. Alex always comes across as a very humble person and will probably be embarrassed by such praise; but to me he seems like one of the most original of current UK 'jazz' musicians and perfect proof that the music is in hands that won't just rest on the laurels of the past. Apologies for sounding a bit fanboy! Edited March 19, 2015 by A Lark Ascending Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Posted March 20, 2015 Wow, thanks so much for the kind words, Bev! Quote
Clunky Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 Received my CD today on my return from work. Excellent sounding so far. Bev's not alone in that assessment. Please keep it going , I love hearing new things or even new takes on old things. Quote
medjuck Posted March 20, 2015 Report Posted March 20, 2015 (edited) I downloaded it for instant gratification-- which I got. (Gratification that is. A lovely record.) Edited March 21, 2015 by medjuck Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Posted March 23, 2015 I downloaded it for instant gratification-- which I got. (Gratification that is. A lovely record.) Thanks so much! Quote
relyles Posted April 1, 2015 Report Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) I received the trio disc yesterday. So far, a pleasantly absorbing listen. The playing throughout feels unhurried and thoughtful. That is not a reference to the overall tempo or mood - this is not a recording dominated by ballads or otherwise slow or somber tunes. Instead it is a reflection of the fact that it sounds like nothing is wasted - every note has a purpose. I think the reference above to "lopsided" is approproiate. Not just in the melody, but in the overall structure and interaction of the trio. It is pleasantly quirky, but not so much that it becomes a barrier. At the same time it sounds like there is close listening happening amongst the trio. This does not sound like the typical piano trio. Although it may be somewhat reminiscent at times of artists as diverse as Paul Bley, or Andrew Hill, there is nothing derivative about the approach. It sounds like nothing but itself. Another winner in the ongoing development of Mr. Hawkins' artistry. Edited April 1, 2015 by relyles Quote
uli Posted April 1, 2015 Report Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) congrats! enjoy listening to your radio bimhuis podcast duo with bennink. Edited April 1, 2015 by uli Quote
king ubu Posted April 1, 2015 Report Posted April 1, 2015 Excellent album indeed, Alex! I've played it four or five times by now and am enjoying it immensely! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted April 3, 2015 Author Report Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks so much for these kind comments - I really appreciate people taking the time to check it out! Quote
Clunky Posted April 3, 2015 Report Posted April 3, 2015 Just dl that. Looking forward to it. You need to make a fuss of this too: Had a very nice Sunday afternoon listening to the album. Enjoyed both discs thoroughly. Will be following up Roberto Ottaviano (who pops up already in various nooks and crannies). I'm after a physical copy of this. i think I'll try the label directly once I've worked out how to navigate their Italian only website. This should be on the way to me from the label. As Flurin describes elsewhere email the label and they reply ( in English) and sent me a Paypal request for the cost+shipping. Hopefully the disc should be here soon. The Trio disc is outstanding. What for me started as a desire to support a fellow O member has developed in fully fledged and unashamed fan-boy status. Perhaps the latter has been obvious for some time in my postings but for those who haven't sampled Alex's output the new trio disc is as good a place as any to start. Quote
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