Joanna Wallfisch & Dan Tepfer - The Origin of Adjustable Things (2015)

Hailed by the great Fred Hersch as a real discovery a first-rate musician in every way, British vocalist Joanna Wallfisch has built an impressive profile since her move to New York from London in 2012. She takes a bold step forward in her creative journey with The Origin of Adjustable Things, a stark and expressive duo album with rising piano master Dan Tepfer. In the mysterious poetry of her lyrics, the freshness of her harmonic choices and the expansiveness of her sonic palette, Wallfisch sets a high bar as she and Tepfer explore a musical universe of their own making. While the album s main focus is voice and piano, there are varied sonic elements pump organ, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, live-looped vocal harmonies that bring out the full richness of Wallfisch s compositional approach. Her 2012 debut, Wild Swan, featured a full band with accomplished jazz players Rob Garcia, Sam Newsome and Joe Martin, yet The Origin of Adjustable Things, with just two musicians, manages to sound as texturally involved.