In 2009 Jim Hart first came together with Michael Janisch and Dave Smith to create Cloudmakers Trio. Since then their powerfully original vision has grown and sustained an international touring career, keeping them at the forefront of contemporary instrumental music in an exciting, horizon-spanning space where jazz, European improvisation, rock and global beats co-exist in an ever-shifting skyscape of creativity. Through all their various collaborations, the vibes-bass-drums trio has remained the core of the Cloudmakers sound. Now, fifteen years after their inception, the concept has come full circle with the inclusion of a new collaborator, the Grammy-winning Argentinian piano master Leo Genovese, already a veteran of the bands of Esperanza Spalding, Jack DeJohnette, and Wayne Shorter. The quartet went into the fabled Abbey Road Studio 3 to record with legendary engineer Sam Okell: A Drop Of Hope In The Ocean Of Uncertainty is the result, the utterly assured, compelling sound of a meeting of musical masters.
Opening track 'Winds Oof Change' was inspired by Jim's childhood by the Cornish coast, with Leo adding virtuosic classical flourishes to the Weather Report inspired form. 'Voodoo Grave' is a near-anagram of 'Dave's Groove' - a Caribbean derived rhythmic figure that mutates into a New Orleans shuffle. 'Back From the Brink' hovers on the edge of chaos "Somehow we make it back, as we always do," while by contrast 'The Silver Lining' leans into Michael Janisch's American jazz roots with a driving swing spiced with some metric stretching from Dave Smith. 'True At The Same Time' continues the theme of rhythmic modulation, with multiple meters all co-existing in an equal space. Electric bass, Prophet 6 synth, electronic percussion and prepared vibes give 'Where There's a Will' a set of new textures - "It's a pop tune - in 11/8" - and 'Quick Fix' lightens the mood with a quasi-Latin groove - "think of Ornette Coleman meets Hermeto Pascoal." 'Dearly Departed' is a ballad tribute to Wayne Shorter, leading to the album closer - 'New Beginnings' - a reference to the fresh partnership with Leo.
Jim Hart: vibraphone and compositions
Leo Genovese: piano and Sequential Prophet 6 synthesizer
Michael Janisch: electric and double basses
Dave Smith: drums and percussion
