A tour de force, Spirit Takes Form, the latest album from Montréal-based pianist, composer & band leader, Andrés Vial, invites a deep listen.

A story of origins, Andrés works closely here with his mentor, jazz legend, drummer & composer, Joe Chambers. He transports us to a sonic world of mallets, metal, wood, hammers & drums, where percussive elements are laid bare, with rhythm at the centre.

An interplay of early mallet instruments, balifon (West Africa), marimba (South America), and what might be considered the youngest, vibraphone, is front and centre. The evolution of this “perco-melodic” family is joyfully lifted up on this carefully curated outing, where generations and cultures respectfully intersect.

Through another lens, there is little careful about this adventurous sojourn into improvisation and composition. A certain blurring of  these imaginary boundaries is undeniably happening with both edge and focus. Episodes of almost unhinged drama, mixed with a cultivated restraint, continually reveal a nuance and prioritization of each moment. We need this in the world right now.

Patience, empathic listening, collective movement and conviction, are all key elements of the dialogue.

Piano and bass direct the flow, creating beds of harmony, storm clouds when needed, a potent light throughout, and swaths of colourful structure. Each gesture is purposeful, an integral component of the unfolding narrative.

The album teems with thunderous rhythm, driving ostinatos, static reflective spaces and flowing melodic forms.  Floating melodic ghosts are deftly accentuated by an occasional angular figure, the slightest hint of Thelonious Monk or Mary Lou Williams. There is a mindful regard for balance and contrast which invites consistent & attentive engagement.

Andrés brings us on this journey via eight rigorous compositions. HIs original voice continues to move into surprising places. This cast of artists brings a powerful spirit of collaboration to the project, hinting at shades otherwise hidden. With all present, the spirits of memory interface with the gestures of the present.