Geoff Eales Invocation Nimbus ***
Beginning with a thundering McCoy Tyner-like flourish this solo piano album by the prolific Welsh veteran modern-mainstreamer was recorded in April this year at Nimbus’ Wyastone studio in Wales, the album quickly enough taking on an involving atmosphere. Tracks are inspired by subjects as varied as the Wye Valley, train journeys, the blues, and the Northern Lights, even if the contours of the faintly Jarrett-recalling improvisational arc are fairly uniform throughout. Eales is a virtuoso player, with an impressionistic touch, and there is an eclecticism in his approach that doesn’t get in the way too much but draws on classical inspirations, for instance Debussy and Ravel, as well as the more overt jazz side that even alights on the bebop of Charlie Parker on ‘One Step From The Edge.’ SG
Released on 3 November