"[A]n aspect of Shipp's character that is always evident, yet seldom discussed: the emotional commitment in his compositional method is equal to the rigorous intellect he applies in the architecture of creation." – Thom Jurek, Allmusic.com, re: solo album Piano Sutras
"The jazz world does not lack for fine pianists, but those who can sustain listener interest through an extended solo set always have been in shorter supply. These days, few pack their soliloquies with more information, drama and free-ranging thought than Matthew Shipp." – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
In the first part of his career, Matthew Shipp avoided solo recordings, saying he wasn't ready – and the first solo album he made, Symbol Systems, happened by accident when the other player on the session didn't show up. Since then, his style expanded and matured and he recorded prolifically, including a number of solo albums, but they have remained special events, distinct statements of purpose. Zero continues in this tradition; its philosophical basis can be gleaned from the lecture on the bonus CD. But, of course, it is the music itself which speaks most eloquently.
Please note that the tune titled "Zero" is not the same as a previous Shipp composition of the same title.
Only the first edition (first 880 copies) of this album will include the bonus CD containing the talk Mr. Shipp gave at The Stone.
01 Zero 5:31
02 Abyss Before Zero 3:48
03 Pole After Zero 3:19
04 Piano Panels 4:13
05 Cosmic Sea 3:43
06 Zero Skip and a Jump 2:11
07 Zero Subtract From Jazz 6:35
08 Blue Equation 5:14
09 Pattern Emerge 2:46
10 Ghost Pattern 1:39
11 After Zero 5:12
Bonus CD:
01 Zero: A Lecture on Nothingness 62:58
Matthew Shipp: piano (CD 1), voice (bonus CD)
Steve Dalachinsky: liner notes
