Change of Heart

Album Review

Martin Speake has had a varied and adventurous recording career and has always been very sure of himself. Change of Heart, his debut recording for ECM, was recorded way back in 2002, so the man's development and his emotive, post-Lee Konitz style of playing has undergone even more changes since that time. However, this ensemble, including drummer Paul Motian (who has also played with Konitz) is warmly and intuitively empathetic. Pianist Bobo Stenson — who has never sounded more assertive and symbiotic as he does here — and bassist Mick Hutton, dig deeply into these lyrical, utterly enchanting tunes. The beautifully open structures of "The Healing Power of Intimacy" and the title cut, move away from theme/solo/theme and favor a more wandering style that may not "swing" in the traditional sense, but are fully formed and move along writerly lines to create space for all the players; Motian's cymbal-and-snare-dancing style on the former is especially engaging. Stenson's playing through the beat, tacking on small clusters of notes at the end of Speake's lines is beguiling, pushing the whole thing, wide as it is, to some kind of inner space. The lush and languid balladry of "In the Moment" is anything but, it echoes out of the past, whispers in the present, and then drifts off into the future with its compelling warmth and lyricism. Hutton's slow, assertive bottom twins both Speake and Stenson across the melodic frame, and offers them ample space to complement one another harmonically. Stenson's solo is one of the most beautiful he's ever played. Change of Heart is one of those jazz records that is at once accessible, clear and limpid. However, it also is a place of secrets, shadows, and labyrinthine gestures that are only uncovered with repeated listening.