Phil Donkin - The Gate (2015)

"To my ears, Phil Donkin does it all, he propels The Gate relentlessly/effortlessly with his melodic, interactive, driving basswork (Macon Groove is evidence enough). Not to mention the fine writing, his keen ear for detail and an eye fixed on the big picture, and larger vistas just ahead."
- Drew Gress, (internationally renowned bassist)

The Gate is the debut album from Phil Donkin, one of the preeminent bassists of his generation in jazz and improvisation-based music.

The Gate doesn't hold back; it both challenges and engages the listener. Pieces like 'Matriarch', 'The Lost Shoe' and the title track show a somewhat subdued and melancholic subtextual nature, pulling at the listener's heart-strings but somehow with a fiery visceral energy that creates a juxtaposition of emotions. 'La Jurona' and 'Introspection' display some of the rhythmic subtleties for which Donkin is known, displaying the bass player's uncanny ability to glide effortlessly through forms and time changes with poise, elegance and muscularity. Complemented by Rückert the rhythm section excel throughout, playing off each other astutely; one hears the depth of listening, sharing responsibility to drive the band while taking turns in directing the music and supporting the others as risks are taken, of which there are plenty.

Donkin explains "This music is in no way safe. We're all taking risks and supporting each other at the same time. For me, that has always been the most exciting thing to listen to and to play, because it's human. I don't want an album which has been perfectly edited and so therefore shows no sign of weakness. That is boring and doesn't show anything of the soul of the music. I need there to be both empathy and bravery for me to enjoy it. This obviously requires intense listening, and I think unfortunately that doesn't happen enough in jazz now. Of course we all want to be as good as we can be, but when playing with others we are vulnerable because we don't know what's going to happen. To overcome that problem we must trust, and have faith that amazing things can happen if we let go and listen. One would hope that through years of playing and practicing, our hands know what to do, so listen and let the heart take over.”

Phil Donkin - double bass
Ben Wendel - tenor saxophone
Glenn Zaleski - piano
Jochen Rueckert - drums