Where Is Pannonica

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Pianists Andy Milne and Benoit Delbecq, who studied together under Steve Coleman in 1990 in the jazz workshop at the Banff Centre in Canada, returned to their alma mater for this adventurous duo piano session. Their originals combine written sections with considerable duo improvisations, with Delbecq sometimes adding electronics. The music is full of drama and unpredictable changes of mood, while never lapsing into pretentiousness. While the full CD is very satisfying, highlights include Milne's intense Ice Storm and Delbecq's eerie miniature Task Sharing. To appreciate its nuances, one must be immersed completely in this music without distractions. A brief video documentary describing the sessions, with footage of the pianists performing and talking about the project along with commentary by others at the Banff Centre who were involved in the making of the CD, is an added bonus, along with two tracks playable only in the Super Audio CD format. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi