Yttrium
is the 3rd album by improvised electronic jazz trio Continuum
and their first wholly recorded in the studio. While their first
two albums focussed on the ambient side of their music, with
the percussion playing an atmospheric supporting role, on Yttrium
they wanted the whole jazz drum kit to be an equal third of
the sound.
John Runcie
is a superbly impressionistic jazz drummer in the mould of ECM
label regular Jon Christensen. He has worked with Lee Konitz,
John Surman and Barbara Thompson to name a few. His restless
creativity abounds, and his subtlety is evident, interacting
one minute, and driving the band the next.
Simon Styring's
guitar style comes out of Robert Fripp, blending his sustainiac-loaded
guitar with guitar synthesizer and effects in intriguing ways.
From sustained Frippatronics to splintered Metheny-like free
jazz guitar.
Chris Conway
paints pictures with his theremin, and with the help of mountains
of delays and effects he moves from wild screams to subtle chordal
soundscapes which blend with his low Irish whsilte and vocal
effects to produce a rich deep layered sound. He has worked
with a strangely diverse set of musicians including Talvin Singh,
Peter Tork (Monkees), improviser Derek Bailey, Martin Barre
(Jethro Tull), composer Gavin Bryars, violin masetro Dr L Subramanium,
ECM saxman Martin Speake, and Brazilain jazz diva Ithamara Koorax.
Together
they create so many sound combinations as they veer from space
sounds to ambient electronica, free jazz to minimal patterns.
Out on the edge - not always tonal but with atonality on the
brink of breaking out. And vice versa…
