Bill Laurance, Bloom Review
by Stamish Malcuss
Pianist and composer Bill Laurance has been releasing his own recordings since 2014’s Flint and has since released a stream of inventive projects. The deep grooves of Aftersun (2016), the crafted electronica of Cables (2019), and the piano explorations of 2022’s Affinity leap out immediately from the long list.
Bill Laurance’s new album, Bloom, with The Untold Orchestra (a group of eighteen string players from Manchester) is a perfect example of his evolving artistry. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Laurance is one of the original members of the eclectic and award-winning group, Snarky Puppy. Combining his classical training and sensibilities with jazz, pop grooves, and powerful orchestral synchronicity, the nine original tracks on Bloom cover an impressive range of emotions and moods. The concept for the album was primarily inspired by the imagination and creativity of Laurance’s child. Laurance explains:
“Every decision we act upon can be traced back to our capacity to imagine, and the limits of what we can achieve are restricted only by our ability to dream, as such. My child’s ability to pull back the curtain of reality and create a fantasy world ignited possibilities of my own, and with Bloom, I seek to transport the listener to those places, inspired throughout by the power of the natural world and our ever-growing dependence on it.”
Bloom opens with the title track, beginning with a spacious string segment that would easily fit into a movie soundtrack. After the extended intro, the strings pick up the tempo and intensity before the piano enters into the dialogue. The last section of the piece has flowing improvisation by Laurance, causing the music to take wing and soar—a great opener!
“Before the Sun” is quiet and relaxed, featuring Laurance on the piano and keyboards. The music expresses the beauty and calm of the world as it awakens to the promise of a new day. “All At Once” is much more intense, primarily due to the rhythmic figures in the strings and piano. Bright and upbeat, “Right Where We Are” expresses a sense of freedom and optimism—a favorite!
“Strange Love” colors with darker hues, although it is still smooth and often tender—romantic, even! “Shots” could refer to several things, but from the intensity of the syncopation in the strings, the song is a captivating balance of chaotic yet beautiful patterns and sonorities! Almost an antidote for the previous track, “Above All” is blissfully serene and graceful. “Lyra” is another favorite and radiates various musical colors and tones. Much of the piece feels freely improvised on the piano and lead strings, creating a comfortable and slightly edgy mood. The closing track, “The Right Time,” conveys an engaging rhythmic energy from the strings, while the piano is more sparing and melodic. As the piece progresses, the piano part becomes more complex and improvised—a great ending for a great album!
The release of Bloom, out now via ACT, sees Laurance again collaborating with The Untold Orchestra from Manchester following their combined work on his Cables Re-Wired and Zeal EPs and subsequent live performance together at Islington’s Union Chapel as part of the 2021 London Jazz Festival. This time around, though, Bloom marks a significant shift away from the interpretation of established material and into the vibrant territory of shared development of new Laurance compositions.
The album’s sonics are excellent. The orchestra is clearly organized, the sound stage has space without getting lost in acoustic nirvana, the sound is transparent, and the frequencies are distributed without lacking pressure in the bass or exaggerating the treble.
With Bloom, Laurance demonstrates his ability to blend diverse musical influences into a cohesive and emotionally resonant whole. The album shows his artistic evolution and virtuosity and that he is a composer capable of crafting intricate and evocative soundscapes. Collaborating with The Untold Orchestra, Laurance navigates the delicate balance between classical orchestration, jazz improvisation, and pop sensibilities, creating a rich sound that is very accessible.
Inspired by the boundless imagination of his child, Bloom transports listeners to fantastical worlds, highlighting the power of creativity and the beauty of the natural world. Each track is meticulously crafted, offering a unique journey through varying moods and textures, from the serene calm of “Before the Sun” to the frenetic energy of “All At Once.” The album’s cinematic quality and emotional depth ensure that it will captivate audiences, inviting repeated listening to uncover its many layers.
In Bloom, Laurance has created a work that stands alongside the best in orchestral jazz, offering a vibrant contribution to the genre. It’s an album celebrating Laurance’s achievements and signals a promising future filled with boundless creative possibilities. Bloom is a must-hear.
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