LISTEN
No Subject (2023)
Matthew Shipp, piano; Scott Robinson, horns; Kevin Ray, bass; Gerald Cleaver, drums
"The relatively short sketches here are completely improvised, but the band sounds like it is connected by a set of ingenious wires or pulleys or tubes that allow the slightest musical feint by one to be followed or complemented by the others." - Will Layman, Pop Matters
“It may come as a surprise to many that these guys can speed-shift from near melodic collapse ("Decisions Have Been Made," "Metal Sounds," "Excuse My Absence") to a casual late night blue dance ("Sometime Tomorrow") or soft shoe swing ("I Like It Very Much") wherein Shipp, Cleaver, and Ray range from mad to mellow so innately as to possibly inspire a smooth two step across the dance floor.” - Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz
This is pure, creative improvisation at its best – a myriad of textures, colors, and rhythmic patterns that you should truly get lost in. - Jim Hynes, Making a Scene
It is the kind of album that open minded listeners will want to listen to again and again to search out and absorb the nuances. - Jack Kinney, Jazz Views
Cool With That (2021)
Matthew Shipp, piano; Allen Lowe, saxophone; Kevin Ray, bass; Gerald Cleaver, drums
"This quartet recording is a brilliant one, clearly one of the finest albums of the year... everyone is completely dialed in to to point of sounding like they are experiencing a state of grace.” - Tim Niland, Jazz and Blues
East Axis Is like the cumulative life experience of its members. East Axis is four men, of different styles and backgrounds, coming together to spontaneously make music that sounds like each of them, all of them, and none of them. The music is like a dream of many scenes, but one observed with precision and the deepest type of understanding. The sound of it is a running commentary on the intersection of experience and that dream; a map of places that these musicians are still trying to explore. Gerald Cleaver named the band, saying "East Axis describes these players in this particular place and time. There’s a thing that comes to mind about the name East Axis. I'm grateful for the chance to more fully realize my potential in New York. That was my dream, and the dream came true. Having now moved as far west in the continental US as is possible, I'm reminded of the need to stay charged with the energy of the place. "
The Law of Vibration (2018)
Ku-umba Frank Lacy, trombone; Kevin Ray, bass; Andrew Drury, drum set
Roswell Rudd, trombone on “Yankee No-How”
"an exceptionally enjoyable listen… an excellent showcase for these three distinctively talented and adventurous artists…" - Karl Ackermann, All About Jazz
While they're quite proud of their first album and the critical reaction to it-- "a 21st century version of fire music," "one of the best jazz releases I've heard this year," "…this near perfect record, a vivid and imaginative masterpiece that showcases a band at the height of its powers"-- the trio feels this next album is a major step forward. The three years between the two have made them a tighter, more focused ensemble, with added depth and adventurousness.
Highlights include the interplay between Lacy and guest artist Roswell Rudd on Rudd's classic composition "Yankee No-How," the contrasts on "RB," ranging from soft delicacy to face melting fury, and the intensity and cooperation on "Living Space," along with engineer Bernie Matthews's brilliant double-tracked effect