Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp

They’ve now recorded together so frequently that tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman/and pianist Matthew Shipp could be the Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond of the 21^st Century, or maybe John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner would be a better comparison. Unlike the others however who never (Trane and Tyner) or only once (Brubeck and Desmond) recorded as a duo, Magical Incantation is yet another of the multiple instances capturing the musical synergy projected by these two alone.

Besides the uncanny facility each has in predicting or reacting to each other’s every musical inference, Perelman and Shipp posses complete technical control of their instruments. While the saxophonist may be known for his strident squeaks, timbral melisma and unexpected tongue stops and flattement; and the pianist for piledriver keyboard pounding, rippling tonal emphasis and sly between the keys syncopation, improvisational flair doesn’t stop with dissonance.

Close listening reveals that references to more traditional playing are present. These include Perelman’s shifts to succinct ballad lyricism and those time on “Prayer” and “Vibrational Essence” where his breathy tone recalls ballad stylists like Ben Webster or Gene Ammons. Adept at challenging counter lines or single noter comping, Shipp also shoehorns Ragtime inferences to match squealing reed slides on “Vibrational Essence” and near-honky-tonk shuffles on “Enlightenment” to underline Perleman’s shifts from whistling shrills to mid-range stops.

Confirming the title, the magic spell cast during the CD’s eight tracks decisively substantiates how intimately the saxophonist and pianist can blend their individual conceptions.

— Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Prayer 2. Rituals 3. Lustihood 4. Enlightenment 5. Sacred Values 6. Incarnation 7. Vibrational Essence 8. Magical Incantation

Personnel: Ivo Perelman (tenor saxophone) and Matthew Shipp (piano)