Ivo Perelman - The Whisperers (2023)

In his latest venture, Ivo Perelman partners with esteemed guitarist James Emery, an experience that he found both unexpected and enlightening. Although he had a cursory familiarity with Emery's music, Perelman intentionally avoided deep immersion in his partner's repertoire prior to their session, inviting an element of surprise. Indeed, the album reflects the novelty of this unexpected encounter, as Emery's musical history with respected sax players like Sam Rivers, Harry Threadgill, and Anthony Braxton adds a profound depth to the collaboration.

Emery's musical lexicon is notably rich, filling spaces with an abundant use of notes. However, the brilliance of his style lies in its tastefulness and well-articulated presentation, never seeming overbearing or overwhelming. This characteristic presented an intriguing challenge to Perelman, prompting him to explore his lyrical side more deeply to complement Emery's style without overcrowding the musical landscape. The result is an album that showcases Perelman in a distinctively melodic and understated light, quite divergent from his more common pyrotechnic showmanship. It is a recording that Perelman takes great pride in, as it portrays a side of him that is rarely seen or heard. This promising partnership certainly raises the anticipation for potential future collaborations, potentially offering new avenues for creative exploration.

Ivo Perelman - saxophone
James Emory - guitar