Vijay Iyer is one of the most relevant contemporary jazz pianist of newer generation, and alongside Jason Moran, he represents the most inventive pianist in the past 20 years. Vijay is also a proud owner of huge solo discography, while the album of his sextet Far From Over only confirms his status.
Iyer's music is not easy to describe, since his opus, composing and playing are majorly unpredictable, but it's definitely his Indian roots that influence his music expression the most. Together with his colleague alt-saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, Iyer has been continuously juxtapositioning traditional Indian music to classic jazz education. Specific rhytmization, stylization and ample use of peculiar accords characterize each of his pieces, including Far From Over.
Mahanthappa's collaboration with Steve Leeman was a positive reference that made Iyer choose this alt-saxophonist as the leading role of his improvisations. Still, remarkable job was done by Graham Haynes (horns), the son of the famous drummer Ray Haynes.
Iyer does not lose the control in any moment. The use of modern rhythms takes us back to the time when he worked with M-Base pioneer Steve Coleman, while frequent excursions in drastic free jazz spheres remind us of his collaboration with legendary Wadada Leo Smith. The best moments of this record are Iyer's trademark - inventive collective improvisations as a form of rhythmic communication between sax and tenor.
Viyan Iyer is giving us a hint that the end is far away, and that he still has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
