Review: Ivan The Tolerable Quintet ‘Water Music’
The experimental, free-jazz-oriented album Vertigo from Middlesbrough’s eclectic multi-instrumentalist Oli Heffernan, released under the moniker of Ivan The Tolerable Quintet, has paved the way for an eagerly anticipated follow-up release. Titled Water Music, this second work once again features the same accomplished musicians, but the overall sonic palette has evolved in intriguing and captivating ways.
Driven by an insatiable creative restlessness, Heffernan‘s mind seems to operate in a near-spiritual state as he relentlessly explores the outer limits of sonic possibility alongside his talented musical collaborators. The resulting output is a mesmerising, mind-bending journey that defies easy categorization, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved within the realm of experimental music.
Over the years, Heffernan has amassed an impressive catalogue of records that stand as the defining moments of his illustrious career, each one a testament to his singular artistry and uncompromising vision. At the heart of his ceaseless explorations lies a profound convergence of visual and aural sensibilities, the primary catalyst for his new sonic adventures.
Guided by his infinite creative instincts, he follows an unwavering path in search of fresh inspirations, deftly navigating uncharted sonic territories with a mastery that leaves listeners spellbound. Albums like The Aleph, Ritual In Transfigured Time and Sun Reflector offer a tantalizing glimpse into the sheer depth of Heffernan‘s musical genius as he seamlessly integrates the talents of keyboardist Ben Hopkinson, saxophonist Elsa Van Der Linden and American psych-hypnotic electronic synth player Patrik R. Pärk to create compositions that are at once harmonious and transcendent.
The resulting sonic tapestries envelop the listener in a sensorial cocoon of celestial serenity, transporting them to realms of sublime, almost spiritual, bliss. Through his tireless dedication and boundless imagination, Heffernan has carved out a singular niche for himself as one of the most important and visionary musicians of his generation. Each new release stands as a testament to his restless creative spirit and leaving an indelible mark on all who experience the fruits of his labour. In the ever-evolving landscape of experimental music, Heffernan’s name shines as a beacon, guiding listeners on a journey of sonic discovery that is as mesmerising as it is profoundly transformative.
Whereas Vertigo delved into the avant-garde realms of free jazz, Water Music sees the quintet branching out, creating an enchanting, floating atmosphere of a dark, otherworldly stillness. The jazz foundations are still present, providing a sturdy backbone, but the music transcends the boundaries of the genre, weaving in elements of ambient, neo-classical, and even hints of the ethereal. The interplay between the skilled instrumentalists is spellbinding, as they navigate through meandering, meditative passages punctuated by moments of stirring emotive power.
Through these sublime soundscapes, Heffernan has crafted a portal into realms of pure emotional resonance…
The opening piece, Little Rain Old Plate, is a spellbinding piece that transports the listener to a realm of ethereal calmness. From the very first notes, delicate aquatic whispers gently caress the ears, conjuring visions of glistening raindrops dancing across a tranquil pond. As the composition unfolds, these watery murmurs seamlessly intertwine with floating, heavenly atmospheres that drift and swell like wispy clouds drifting through a cerulean sky.
House In Pale Pink is a captivating and immersive musical odyssey that transports the listener to a realm of pure experimental enchantment. Drawing inspiration from the enigmatic and evocative acid folk genre, the track weaves together a tapestry of exotic sonic textures, creating an atmosphere that is both otherworldly and deeply resonant. Echoes of the seminal Tangled Edge can be detected, hinting at a lineage of avant-garde experimentation, yet this work carves out its own distinct identity.
The energetic vigour of the improvised jazz elements in Floating Palm envelops the senses, capturing the listener in a rarefied and suspended world where the liquid sonic flows create an impression of almost transcendental lightness and serenity. It is as if the music has gone beyond the constraints of the physical realm, inviting the audience to surrender to a state of pure, unencumbered bliss. The seamless integration of these diverse musical influences results in a profoundly immersive and transformative listening experience. A journey that transports the listener to the very edges of consciousness, where the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical dissolve, leaving in their wake a profound sense of wonder and contemplation.
On the last two compositions, Whiteout 1998 and Dream In Slow Motion, Heffernan has seemingly crossed over into a realm of pure contemplation and blissful tranquillity, channelling the natural elements of flowing water and vibrating air to create a truly immersive sonic experience. Gone are the pressing rhythmic structures that often define his more technical, jazz-inflected work, in their place, we are enveloped in crystalline, dreamlike textures that invite the listener to surrender and lose themselves. It is as if Heffernan has unlocked a dimensional threshold, transporting us into a suspended, almost otherworldly plane of existence, where the boundaries between earth and sky, reality and the sublime, become deliciously blurred.
Far removed from the virtuosic mastery of jazz, these compositions unleash a uniquely evocative force – one that speaks directly to the soul, conjuring a profound sense of calm meditation. As we float amidst the watery flows and celestial atmospheres, the everyday falls away and we find ourselves unhooked, drifting in a state of rarefied beauty. It is a sonic journey that asks us to let go, to relinquish our grip on the familiar and the mundane and to emerge transformed by the spiritual experience.
Through these sublime soundscapes, Heffernan has crafted a portal into realms of pure emotional resonance. His visionary compositional approach takes the listener on an immersive sonic journey, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. Water Music is a profoundly atmospheric and captivating work that sees Ivan The Tolerable Quintet further cementing their reputation as purveyors of boundary-pushing, genre-defying music that resonates on a deeply evocative level.
Label: Riot Season
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Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
