Embracing his classical influences, pianist
Gerald Clayton conjures a richly soulful and dreamlike atmosphere on his second Blue Note album, 2022's
Bells on Sand. Even going as far back as his time in the 2000s with
Roy Hargrove and then through his first few solo albums,
Clayton has evinced a classical warmth in his playing. His measured style is marked by complex chordal harmonies, delicate arpeggiations, and a languid, poetic feeling that often evokes the work of
Chick Corea. It's also a personal sound, informed by his musical roots with his father, esteemed bassist
John Clayton, as well as his work with saxophonist
Charles Lloyd -- both of whom appear here. He brings all of this to full flower on
Bells on Sand, crafting songs that straddle the line between classical chamber music and flowing modal post-bop. The record is technically his first studio outing for the label following his 2020 concert album
Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard. Where that release found him leading his adventurous quintet, here he offers spare duo and trio performances that are meant to reflect his past, present, and future as an artist. As such, he has brought together an intimate handful of collaborators, including his father, drummer
Justin Brown, and Portuguese vocalist MARO. Also featured is
Clayton's former boss and mentor, saxophonist
Lloyd, with whom he has worked closely since 2013. There's a spiritual, imagistic quality to much of the album that has the feel of a '70s
ECM recording. On the opening "Water's Edge,"
Clayton frames his father's mournful bowed bass lines with slow storm-cloud chords and the gathering rumble of
Brown's drumming before trickling in a shimmering rainbow of organ. Equally languid moments follow, as in
Clayton's take on Catalan composer
Federico Mompou's "Damunt de tu Només les Flors," a sleepy, tango-esque lullaby sung with romantic sadness by MARO. Particularly rapturous is "Peace Invocation," a shimmering noir daydream in which
Clayton's warm piano bakes like late-afternoon sun against
Lloyd's dusky tenor sax shadow. ~ Matt Collar