Bill Laurance - Live At Union Chapel (2016) [Hi-Res]

Recorded in late May 2015 in front of a live audience at Union Chapel in London, this powerful performance features the very best of this talented keyboardists (and founding member of Snarky Puppy) solo catalogue.

Performing live is completely different to recording in the studio,” says Laurance. “Having toured this music extensively I got to the point where I really wanted to capture the unique energy and spontaneity of the live concert experience and include the dynamic between the band and the audience in the moment. The music is free from overdubs and post-production and it takes on a freshness in the live rendition.”

The show opens with “The Rush,” highlighted by an intricate, driving rhythm from Searight and passionate playing from Laurance. “Swift” sounds massive, with the West Side Trio injecting ominous strings into the arrangement and Laurance nimbly moving between piano, Fender Rhodes and synth to craft a hypnotic groove. Inspired by a trip to the city during a tour with Snarky Puppy, “December in New York” is a moody composition that nevertheless captures the constant hum and movement of NYC, even in winter. “Red Sand” is a highlight, with the musicians locked into a captivating rhythmic pulse and League weaving in a tasteful solo.

This is a truly great contemporary jazz piano concert with nods to modal jazz icon Bill Evans, post-Coltrane piano giants McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, and the fusion of Joe Zawinul & Chick Corea.

01. Robert Searight - The Rush (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
02. Robert Searight - Never-Ending City (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
03. Robert Searight - The Good Things (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
04. Robert Searight - December In New York (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
05. Robert Searight - Red Sand (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
06. Robert Searight - The Real One (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
07. Robert Searight - Swift (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
08. Robert Searight - Gold Coast (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
09. Bill Laurance - Denmark Hill (Live / Bonus Track)
10. Robert Searight - Swag Times (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
11. Robert Searight - Fjords (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
12. Michael League - Ready Wednesday (Live At Union Chapel, London / 2015)
13. Isabella Petersen - The Isles (Live / Bonus Track)