chris abrahams/clayton thomas/miles thomas: words fail

The debut release from the trio of Chris Abrahams (piano), Clayton Thomas (bass and preparations), and Miles Thomas (drums and percussion). Words Fail is an intergenerational meeting of the minds. Their inaugural collaboration bears the traces of each artist's deep immersion in Sydney's storied improvisation scene. Chris Abrahams, widely acclaimed for his history with The Necks is the elder statesman. Clayton Thomas, co-founder of the vital NOWnow concert series and annual festival as well as both the Splinter (Sydney) and Splitter (Berlin) Orchestras, has been a pioneering force for some years. Whilst newcomer Miles Thomas (no relation) is a serial collaborator with a unique instrumental voice, representing the new guard and showing that the future of the scene is in safe hands. Despite the quintessential trio format, the sound world subverts the instrumentation across four expansive improvisations. Chris Abrahams begins proceedings with a lone piano note, repeating like droplets of water on a glassy lake, the interwoven textures of Clayton Thomas's prepared double-bass and Miles Thomas's foley-like percussion -- sounding on occasion like something out of Xenakis's Pithoprakta -- soon attempt to pull things into deeper, darker waters. Recorded by Richard Belkner at Free Energy Device. Mixed by Miles Thomas. Mastered and cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering Berlin. Painting by Amanda Tsioutis. Design and layout by WBYK. "Tip On" gatefold; includes download.