David Liebman

It’s particularly difficult to record a solo record — on any instrument. What’s even more challenging is recording pieces of music that somehow tell us something about colours. This was David Liebman’s biggest challenge in recording Colors, (a follow up to his solo record The Tree, released in the ’80s on Soul Note) how to put sounds to colours, and moreover, how to make the sounds match the colours in real life. What is surprising to me about this record is the sheer amount of ferocity that Liebman unleashes. On "Yellow 1,” his tenor sounds as if it was trying to get out from underneath him, while on "Black 2” his approach is even more unforgiving, holding suspended notes in mid air, giving them plenty of room to breathe. I suppose that’s the record’s strongest attribute; there is lots of room for reflection, even when the shrieks attack you from all sides. Though at times, the high-pitched tenor noises are really overwhelming, all in all, Colors is a very strong record. Worthwhile seeking out.