Jazz/Review Darren Pickering Small Worlds - Three

Darren Pickering Small Worlds is an Ōtautahi (Christchurch, NZ)-based jazz quartet that performs works composed by pianist Darren Pickering as well as re-imagined versions of selected works from other genres. The group’s emphasis is mostly on through-composed material combined with improvisation, and the artistic direction is determined equally by all members. There is a cinematic flavor to the ensemble’s sound, enhanced by the electronic textures of Darren’s ever-expanding collection of modular systems, synths, selected iPad apps, and sonic manipulation devices.

Darren Pickering Small Worlds' distinctive sound—a dynamic fusion of improvisation with a jazz foundation and cinematic soundscapes influenced by modular synthesis—is further refined with “Three.” The end product is an emotionally stirring and beautifully complex record that pushes the limits of what is possible in current jazz. Every song on “Three” seems like a chapter in a meticulously crafted, meandering, unpredictable story.

The group's third album carries on their investigation of freely woven through-composed frameworks that let lyrical melodies rise and fall over constantly shifting textures. The album has a cinematic feel to it, less like a compilation of songs and more like a sonic adventure thanks to the delicate interaction between traditional jazz instruments and the ambient presence of synths. With his exact yet emotive phrasing, pianist and composer Darren Pickering serves as the project's fulcrum, drawing the listener into an expansive yet complex soundscape.

"Soft Life," the album's finest track, perfectly encapsulates its spirit. It is warm and introspective, with a gentle melodic pattern that gradually develops into layers of rich harmony. A feeling of openness and subdued optimism is created by the piece's gradual evolution, which lasts long after the last note.

“Three” is considerate, not ostentatious. This album is meant to be listened to carefully; it rewards patient with richness in texture and emotion. Darren Pickering's Small Worlds provide something unique, whether of your preference for ambient fusion, jazz in the ECM manner, or contemporary creative forms: a rich, resonant listening experience that sounds as alive as it is expertly crafted.