Root Perspectives

Whit Dickey guides a formidable new quartet through deep waters on Root Perspectives. As he states, "I get into music not just by playing but by accessing a vibration." This work gets to the heart of what he means by that elliptical phrase. It is the latest recording from his TAO Forms label, which since it's 2020 founding has released some of the freshest material in recent memory, including James Brandon Lewis' poll-winning Jesup Wagon, and Dickey's own highly inspired works, Expanding Light and Astral Long Form: Staircase in Space. On Root Perspectives, his plan was to tap into the drum part of that mantra, and let the quartet rise from there. The sound and energy of a tenor-based quartet was a logical choice, and this presents the first encounter between Dickey and saxophonist Tony Malaby - who brought determined grit and fire to the session, along with Matthew Shipp - one of Dickey's closest associates, and the youngest of the group - agile and inventive bassist Brandon Lopez.