Both
Keith Tippett and
Paul Dunmall have extensive discographies, with tons of projects, some of them longstanding. And yet, the one ensemble that stands out for both of them is
Mujician and their handful of releases -- well, a bit more than a handful, now that
There's No Going Back Now can be added to the pile, four years after
Spacetime. This single 45-minute
improvisation was recorded on June 12, 2005, with all usual suspects in top shape. The piano may be a bit less assertive than usual, but that has no impact on the group's drive. On the contrary,
There's No Going Back Now sounds more urgent, vital, and frantic than
Mujician's previous two releases on
Cuneiform. On this particular set,
Dunmall is the key player, his tenor sax pushing the other three forward. Of course, this being
Mujician, the music is collectively shared and the quartet adds to more than its constituents combined: drummer
Tony Levin matches
Dunmall's intensity every inch of the way, while
Paul Rogers rivals the saxman in lyricism.
Tippett's piano is the cement of the group, providing cohesion and purpose. Obviously, these guys are keen on releasing only their very best performances, since they don't have a single weak album.
There's No Going Back Now is just as recommendable as its older siblings, although if you don't relish the idea of a single extended piece, you might want to start with the more generously indexed
Spacetime or the four-part
Colours Fulfilled -- although, down the line, it is only a matter of perception, since the music still unfolds in one continuous motion. ~ Francois Couture
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