I've already written about his solo album "Live in London" and proclaimed the Spiritual Jazz Trio work "Infinite Peace" one of my TOP 24 albums of 2024.
Yet I also got two more of Ivan The Tolerable's many recent releases, sister albums, both out on Riot Season:
Yet I also got two more of Ivan The Tolerable's many recent releases, sister albums, both out on Riot Season:
IVAN THE TOLERABLE QUINTET - Vertigo (lightly merbled cyan vinyl LP) (2024)
Just like with "Infinite Peace" it was the rather close vicinity to Spiritual Jazz, which made having this a priority over several of Oli Hefernan's other 2024 albums.
Performed by a quintet of players with experience in Post Rock, Experimental Jazz, Space Rock and other fields (in bands like Ecstatic Vision, Ponyland and The Unit Arma), in comparison to "Infinite Peace" these six tracks are a much more loose and free affair. Think the depth and smooth flow of late John and later Alice Coltrane, also her atmospheric drone, yet additionally drenched in Psychedelic Rock textures and Ambient sounds! Field recordings of birds, sampled spoken words, the constant theme of drops and other water sounds...
"Vertigo" juxtaposes simplicity and overflow, modernism and timelessness in a very well-balanced instinctive way. Even though especially the double bass work gives Ivan's Quintet a closer connection to the original Jazz roots the intention of this music doesn't seem too far from what the Neptunian Maximalism spawn Zaäar is doing.
This feels carefree and profound at the same time. Bold, exciting, yet also soothing - but always with a hint of doubt, since behind the ease of the current there always lurks a shapeless shadow.
And while nature keeps bubbling and the flute is still chirping to its tune, this shadow keeps growing towards the end of the album during and eclipses both "Swimming" and "A Hitch, A Scratch" as an undeniable presence, that can no longer be ignored.
All this creates a quiet unique, both earthy and cosmic ambience. All the flawless performances on "Vertigo" ultimately are in service of this long lingering subtly suspenseful mood. Wonderful!
The layout of the record is simple and beautiful, with an artwork, which feels like it belongs inside a museum. I guess someone, who laid eyes on my first copy, felt the same, so I only received the naked turqoise record without its cover at first.
(Still have that one as a spare copy to give away for a fair price. Please hit me up if you're interested!)
Performed by a quintet of players with experience in Post Rock, Experimental Jazz, Space Rock and other fields (in bands like Ecstatic Vision, Ponyland and The Unit Arma), in comparison to "Infinite Peace" these six tracks are a much more loose and free affair. Think the depth and smooth flow of late John and later Alice Coltrane, also her atmospheric drone, yet additionally drenched in Psychedelic Rock textures and Ambient sounds! Field recordings of birds, sampled spoken words, the constant theme of drops and other water sounds...
"Vertigo" juxtaposes simplicity and overflow, modernism and timelessness in a very well-balanced instinctive way. Even though especially the double bass work gives Ivan's Quintet a closer connection to the original Jazz roots the intention of this music doesn't seem too far from what the Neptunian Maximalism spawn Zaäar is doing.
This feels carefree and profound at the same time. Bold, exciting, yet also soothing - but always with a hint of doubt, since behind the ease of the current there always lurks a shapeless shadow.
And while nature keeps bubbling and the flute is still chirping to its tune, this shadow keeps growing towards the end of the album during and eclipses both "Swimming" and "A Hitch, A Scratch" as an undeniable presence, that can no longer be ignored.
All this creates a quiet unique, both earthy and cosmic ambience. All the flawless performances on "Vertigo" ultimately are in service of this long lingering subtly suspenseful mood. Wonderful!
The layout of the record is simple and beautiful, with an artwork, which feels like it belongs inside a museum. I guess someone, who laid eyes on my first copy, felt the same, so I only received the naked turqoise record without its cover at first.
(Still have that one as a spare copy to give away for a fair price. Please hit me up if you're interested!)
IVAN THE TOLERABLE QUINTET - Water Music (deep yellow vinyl LP) (2024)
Like I said in the beginning these two are sister albums. Riot Records could have easily put them into a box together, since this a if you like one you should probably also get the other situation anyway.
The line-up and sound spectrum on "Water Music" is similar to "Vertigo". The selection of these five tracks just leads to a slighty different overall impression. There are more water sounds here - d'uh! -, but there's also more light, a brighter, dreamier, more colourful spirituality about everything. And especially on headphones you will also notice the asmr-ish quality of the whispered samples on "Whiteout 1998" adding to the transcending effect.
Do I like this album a little bit more? Maybe, maybe not. It's as hard to decide as useless, because just look at these records; they belong together anyway! For pure unfettered relaxation while letting go of all darker contemplation "Water Music" undoubtly is the preferable choice. A magical meditation.
Like I said in the beginning these two are sister albums. Riot Records could have easily put them into a box together, since this a if you like one you should probably also get the other situation anyway.
The line-up and sound spectrum on "Water Music" is similar to "Vertigo". The selection of these five tracks just leads to a slighty different overall impression. There are more water sounds here - d'uh! -, but there's also more light, a brighter, dreamier, more colourful spirituality about everything. And especially on headphones you will also notice the asmr-ish quality of the whispered samples on "Whiteout 1998" adding to the transcending effect.
Do I like this album a little bit more? Maybe, maybe not. It's as hard to decide as useless, because just look at these records; they belong together anyway! For pure unfettered relaxation while letting go of all darker contemplation "Water Music" undoubtly is the preferable choice. A magical meditation.
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