Espial is a trio formed when the duo of percussionist Martin Pyne and keyboard player David Beebee decided to develop the music of their Ripples album by adding a third member to the group. Saxophonist Josephine Davies is a very good choice; she mostly plays on soprano saxophone, the sound of which fits well with the overall textures of the music.
There are 11 tracks, all given evocative titles, such as The Secret Life Of The Forest or Fresh Snowfall at Dawn. The title of one of the tracks, Unexpected Beauty, seems to reflect the overall impact of the music in which Pyne’s use of the vibes, balafon and other percussion fits well with Davies’ soprano saxophone sound and also with Beebee’sfocus on the ambient sounds of the keys.
The prevailing mood is gentle. Two more upbeat tracks, The Many Colours Of Bamboo and Unexpected Beauty provide variety, and Davies’ use of the tenor saxophone on the latter track provides a welcome sense of real contrast.
In The Act Of Noticing, Espial presents a contemplative approach to free improvisation in which the mood is thoughtful and the sounds are ambient, a long way from the high energy music of much free improvisation. The album is available on both CD and digitally on the burgeoning Discus Music label
