John Surman - Upon Reflection

John Surman, known for his baritone sax prowess, is also pretty good on soprano sax and bass clarinet. This is one of his solo recordings, where he plays all of these reed instruments, in addition to synthesizer. Most of the pieces are multi-tracked, with the exception of a few unaccompanied moments like "Caithness to Kerry" for solo soprano sax. Several tracks contain a lush, yet minimalistic and meditative synthesizer bed upon which layers of horns are added, to provide harmonic structure, melody or counterpoint. The opening track "Edges of Illusion" as well as the album closer "Constellation" are fine examples of jazz-tinged minimalist music with trippy synthesizer motives and languid low reed tones along with a more penetrative soprano sax voice. This isn't clichèd stuff at all, this isn't your usual New Age muzak with a cheesy soprano sax over waves of a cheesy Korg Triton, we're dealing with multi-layered, complex and quirky interaction between reeds and a keyboard. Some of the pieces like a jaunty "Prelude and Rustic Dance" are performed entirely on reeds. Surman is great on baritone sax and bass clarinet, and his soprano sax playing is a welcome alternative to all the smooth jazz triteness that is associated with higher pitched saxes. John Surman is not only a master on his several reed instruments, but he also has a unique and singular musical vision that is truly inventive.