Obsidian

"For Obsidian, his debut solo outing, Downes subverts expectations by recording entirely with church organs. Recorded on three separate organs of varying sizes found throughout the UK, Obsidian isn't the most obvious project a jazz pianist would undertake. This notion, however, neglects the vast tradition of mastermind organists and their penchant for musical structures, improvisation, and textures - vital elements in both jazz and modern classical alike. It's a record of considerable complexity and virtuosity, one that delightfully subverts the critical expectations for a rising jazz pianist ... Obsidian may not be too far removed from the esoteric recordings ECM typically champions, but it's an unavoidably bold choice for a young jazz pianist's solo debut. With this honest and thought-provoking record, Downes marks himself as a valuable and promising improvising musician, regardless of genre or style".

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"Downes' creative approach on Obsidian ranges from singular spontaneous improvisations to multiple reassembled improvisations, to building on-and around-concepts. A key inspiration is French composer and organist Olivier Messiaen who Downes explains ..."blends the sounds of the instrument to give real form and colour to the performance. You can be both an improviser and an orchestrator in the moment." Messiaen, in fact, rejected much of the analytical terminology of music suggesting that there is only music with, or without, color. Downes has taken that to heart on this beautiful collection and he has plans to expand on his use of the organ in a future project. Obsidian is highly recommended".

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"Obsidian er uden sidestykke de bedste orgelimprovisationer, jeg har hørt siden [Keith Jarretts] Hymns/Spheres. De tre orgeler/tre kirker giver ret forskellige klange, men Downes benytter sig heraf i sin udforskning af klangbillederne, og dét er spændende. Lige som det også er en fascination uden lige, når han i et enkelt nummer bliver akkompagneret af tenorsaxofonisten Tom Challenger. Uanset hvor sekulær musikken måtte være, bliver den spirituel, når den udfoldes som af Downes på Obsidian".

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