Stephen Grew, Trevor Watts - Con Fluent

Review by Rand Zacharias

Con Fluent, the collaborative album by Stephen Grew and Trevor Watts, is a captivating and entrancing musical journey that showcases the duo's exceptional musicianship and improvisational skills. The album features six tracks that seamlessly blend free jazz, avant-garde, and experimental music, creating a unique and immersive listening experience.

The opening track, "Confluent," sets the mood for the album with its intricate piano and saxophone interplay. The duo's improvisations are both playful and intense, creating a sense of tension and release that keeps the listener engaged. The following track, "Glow," is a slower, more contemplative piece that showcases the duo's ability to create beautiful melodies and harmonies.

The third track, "Flicker," is a standout piece that features Trevor Watts' masterful saxophone playing. His improvisations are both lyrical and dissonant, creating a sense of unpredictability that keeps the listener on edge. The fourth track, "Sprout," is a more upbeat and energetic piece that showcases Stephen Grew's virtuosic piano playing.

The final two tracks, "Twine" and "Bloom," are both epic pieces that showcase the duo's ability to create complex and intricate musical structures. The improvisations are both intense and meditative, creating a sense of transcendence that leaves the listener feeling uplifted and inspired.

Summary by Rand Zacharias

Con Fluent is a stunning album that showcases the exceptional musicianship and improvisational skills of Stephen Grew and Trevor Watts. The duo's ability to create complex and intricate musical structures while maintaining a sense of spontaneity and playfulness is truly impressive. Highly recommended for fans of free jazz, avant-garde, and experimental music.