Pacific Woods - Finisterre (2020)

Recorded in Gualala, CA, on the western edge of the continent, "Finisterre" (Latin for 'end of the Earth') evokes the beauty and serenity of our coast, between the Pacific Ocean and the redwood forest, hence the band's name, "Pacific Woods."

Speaking of their band's origin and creative process, Harrison says: "Several years ago, Dave and I began a series of weekly experimental workshops that over time evolved into a unique dialogue between saxophone and electric bass, a musical language that was captured on our first recording, Pool of Mirrors. Most of the tracks on our albums are first-take improvisations recorded live."

Harrison's lyrical melodies are the aesthetic heart of Finisterre. His decades of playing jazz inform his melodies, but this isn't quite a jazz album. His playing is quieter, more spacious and peaceful than his fans may expect from his jazz concerts here on the coast.

Dave's ostinato bass lines provide a pulse and rhythmic texture, but leave room for expressive and rhythmic freedom. Often, one of us will break the groove and the other will follow, leading to unexpected interludes and changes in direction.

Even more than previous albums, the tunes on Finisterre are bass & sax duets, with no overdubs or digital magic. The music is deceptively simple — strongly tonal and modal, with no atonal explorations, basic time signatures with no complex syncopation; it's simply the interplay of Harrison's soaring melodies and Dave's rhythmic bass patterns.