Jon Hassell and Maarifa Street: QEH, 17 November 2007

Jon Hassell paid a rare visit to these shores yesterday. There was no applause until the end and he sat on his stool for the duration of the concert like a hawk, almost immobile, deep in concentration. I first heard him 23 years ago. I first saw him perform 10 or 12 years ago in the same venue.

The music he and the other three played last night was akin to scent, incredibly delicate, subtle, diffuse. Like rich clouds of incense, but given structure and evanescent form in the moment.

Maarifa Street (2004) formed the beginning of this music’s journeys. Jan Bang wove deep sampladelic dubscapes anchored in Peter Freeman’s bass. At one point, percussionist Steve Shehan held miniature thumb cymbals aloft ready to strike, but returned them to their resting place unused half a minute later.

As Hassell plays less and less with the passing years, each note, each gesture acquires ever greater weight.