Bells on sand

"Embracing his classical influences, pianist Gerald Clayton conjures a richly soulful and dreamlike atmosphere on his second Blue Note album ... Even going as far back as his time in the 2000s with Roy Hargrove and then through his first few solo albums, Clayton has evinced a classical warmth in his playing. His measured style is marked by complex chordal harmonies, delicate arpeggiations, and a languid, poetic feeling that often evokes the work of Chick Corea. It's also a personal sound, informed by his musical roots with his father, esteemed bassist John Clayton, as well as his work with saxophonist Charles Lloyd - both of whom appear here. He brings all of this to full flower on Bells on Sand, crafting songs that straddle the line between classical chamber music and flowing modal post-bop".

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"The music is for the most part delicate and intimate, reflecting the isolation and soul-searching Clayton, like most people, experienced in 2020-21. The album is exquisitely beautiful. Clayton, who adds occasional background soundscapes on electric keyboards and vibraphone, is accompanied by his father, bassist John Clayton, whose arco playing is a feature of the first two tracks, and by his longtime friend, drummer Justin Brown ... Directly and indirectly, the key figure on Bells On Sand is [Catalan composer Federico] Mompou, whose music was heavily influenced by Erik Satie and Gabriel Fauré. Satie and Fauré, as channelled by Mompou, with whose work Clayton has become enamoured in recent years, in turn become Clayton's primary influences. A meditative and quietly uplifting vibe is maintained throughout, even on those few tracks where the tempo increases and the number of notes per bar rises".

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