Recorded December 1997 at Airwave Studios in Chicago, Illinois
Mixed at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin
Mastered at Ultimate Audio in Evansville, Wisconsin
"Denouement" is an adventurous CD by guitarist and composer Scott Fields, released on the forward-thinking jazz label Clean Feed Records. The album explores the borderlands between modern jazz, contemporary composition and free improvisation, with intricate structures that still leave ample room for spontaneous interaction. Fields' guitar work moves from delicate, spacious textures to dense, angular lines, creating a narrative arc that lives up to the title "Denouement": musical tensions are carefully built and then subtly resolved, often in unexpected ways. This is not background music, but a demanding and rewarding listening experience for those who enjoy detail-rich, exploratory jazz with a strong compositional backbone.
Scott Fields is known on the international avant-jazz and new-music scene for his sophisticated writing and his highly personal approach to the guitar. Coming out of the experimental jazz tradition, he has developed a voice that combines harmonic curiosity, rhythmic elasticity and a keen ear for ensemble sound. Over the years, Fields has collaborated with numerous notable improvisers and ensembles, and his recordings are frequently cited by connoisseurs of contemporary jazz and improvised music for their conceptual clarity and emotional depth. His projects often focus on extended forms, suites and modular compositions, and "Denouement" fits squarely into this aesthetic, offering a coherent, album-length statement rather than a loose collection of tunes.
Clean Feed Records, based in Portugal, has earned a strong reputation among jazz and improvised-music listeners as one of the most important independent labels for contemporary, boundary-pushing sounds. Since its founding, Clean Feed has focused on documenting artists who expand the language of jazz, from free and avant-garde idioms to new chamber-jazz formations. The label is known for high production standards, carefully curated releases and distinctive artwork, making its catalogue a touchstone for listeners seeking innovative, artist-driven music. A release like "Denouement" underlines Clean Feed's commitment to giving creative musicians the space and support to realize ambitious projects in full.
"Denouement" on CD is ideal for listeners who want to experience the full dynamic range and detailed sound design of this music in physical form. The format invites concentrated, album-oriented listening: from the opening gestures through to the final resolution, the sequence of pieces feels like a carefully constructed narrative, rewarding repeated plays with new layers and connections. Whether you are already familiar with Scott Fields' work or are looking to dive deeper into the contemporary improvised-music landscape, this album offers a compelling, thoughtfully produced entry point that showcases both the artist's compositional intelligence and Clean Feed Records' curatorial vision.
Modern
32.360
- AcidJazz/DanceJazz 107- Avantgarde/Free 983- Bebop 109- Bossa Nova 339- Cool 75- Hard Bop 155- Jazz Rock/Fusion 748- Latin Jazz 998- Other Modern Jazz 27.381- PopJazz/SmoothJazz 795- World-&Ethno-Ja. 447
