BRUFORD-BORSTLAP
Sheer Reckless Abandon SuMMErfoLD
Inspired pairing make creative sparks fly.
While Bruford needs no introduction, his partner for this reissue package, Dutch pianist, Michiel Borstlap, may not be so familiar to Prog readers. Born in 1966, despite his relative youthfulness, by the time he began working with Bill, this graduate of the Hilversum Conservatory had already been rubbing shoulders with Pat Metheny with his compositions covered by luminaries such as Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.
This package brings together their first live encounter in 2002, BrufordBorstlap In Concert In Holland, and includes a full-length DVD originally released in 2004, as well as two further live albums compiled from various recordings, 2004’s Every Step A Dance, Every Word A Song and 2007’s In Two Minds. All three albums have an intimate quality to them allowing us to eavesdrop on a deeply fascinating extended musical conversation. In a partnership that goes far beyond Bruford’s collaborations with Patrick Moraz in the 80s, their articulate improvisations have a voracious freeflowing aspect that rushes past any
obvious stylistic boundaries and avoids ever becoming bogged down with technical displays. Throughout, the pair never lose sight of groove or melody as the basis for their mutual explorations.
Borstlap is a constant revelation whose lyrical warmth is never far from the surface. A formidable and persuasive player with a determined gaze on where his notes are best deployed to have their greatest effect, his piano and subtle use of synthesiser is occasionally reminiscent of Joe Zawinul’s soaring extemporisation and wry funk that provides the perfect foil to Bruford’s restless dynamism.
The DVD is a joy, providing a ring-side seat on their enthusiastic interactions with each other. As Bruford whips up his patented rhythmic bedlam, we see the pianist’s hands poised, ready to descend. At the last minute, the drummer changes course with Borstlap instantly reacting, taking the piece to pastures new. With either player likely to take the initiative in steering the feel or shape of the music, this collection has an encyclopaedic, expansive intensity.