Jackson, David & Commenee, Rene van: Keep Your Lane

David Jackson continues to be extremely active, the one-time Van Der Graaf Generator man gracing us with new music under a variety of guises. The latest is Keep Your Lane, an album that finds the saxophonist and flutist (and more) collaborating with his long time friend and musical companion Rene van Commenee on what is, rather conversely, an album that is both complexly remote and yet instantly engaging.

With Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) also involved along the way, this lockdown album is dark and deep in a way that many collections of music created during that time tend to be. And yet on Keep Your Lane there’s also a melodic light and shade that often offers hope and release. “Gateway� is a strong example, remote themes and whispers of sounds bolstered by some much more readily welcoming movements, and when some more unexpected elements make an appearance, things turn into an energetic romp in a way never initially anticipated. “Waving At Strangers� on the other hand is moody, murky and much less of an easy journey, but still somehow enhancing the experience. As you’d expect, Jackson is immaculate throughout but it’s the arrangements and intertwining between instruments that make this album the experience it becomes.

Moods arrive thick and fast, “Get A Grip!� a languid piece that barely feels like it’s being held together, “Pinball Potter� a clanking encounter that floats on flute and much more. Add in the dancing “Felona� and the almost demented marching band feel of “Eternal Caravans� and the ground covered on Keep Your Lane isn’t just impressively wide, but it also ensures you stay locked in throughout.

Track Listing
1. Eternal Caravans

2. Garden Shed

3. Bird's Lament

4. Gateway

5. Waving At Strangers

6. Gridlockdown

7. Hills Of The North

8. Get A Grip!

9. Kozokudoro

10. Pinball Potter

11. JackLanzCom Haiku

12. 'Pioneers Over C, 2023'

13. Felona

Added: January 27th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Talking Elephants Records
Hits: 863
Language: english

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