WAYS + Toldam
A deeply thoughtful and absorbing release (on Fortunes)
Andy Hamilton
The Wire, September 2020
I hear masters of the new playground at work…. Fortunes offers such a ill-defined, but well constructed environment for the group to create in. Often led by focused, exploratory phrases from West, the tracks follow self-constructed logic often to energized ends.
Paul Acquaro
Free Jazz Collective
They practice a very specific and original idiom that is difficult to describe. Their music is very hygienic and minimalistic. Very modest and subdued, performed in a very disciplined and controlled way. Energy and dynamics stay more or less on an even and uniform level. The performance is very precise and sincere. One may think the music might sound very clean and dry, but that is not so. Therefore, their movements are much too spirited and warm. They respond to one other in a surprising and inventive way, evoking much more than they play. Less is more is the device. I guess Misha would have liked it.
Dolf Mulder
Vital Weekly, NL
Ways + Simon Toldam
Fortunes
Evan Cartwright drums
Brodie West alto saxophone
Simon Toldam piano
Recorded at The Village Studio by John Fomsgaard
Mixed by Sandro Perri
Mastered by Fedge
Artwork by Jeff Halliday
Design and Printing by Jesjit Gill at Colourcode
LORNA Records 013
LP / CD / Digi
Released May 2020
Between solo sets and larger-format ensembles, Ways is a midpoint in Brodie West's explorations of rhythm and composition. Joined by percussionist Evan Cartwright (a member of West's Eucalyptus while also playing with Tasseomancy, Omhouse, and Isla Craig) the duo pares things back to the spare essentials, where the quietly off-kilter rhythms of Cartwright's slightly-hesitant drum-grooves create a space for West's explorations. Inspiring lean-in-close deep listening more than body movin' abandon, Ways examines the inner surfaces of the sounds in West's larger projects.
Joe Strutt, Mechanical Forest Sound
photo credit Mike Højgaard