Dreamy ambiences, sparkling tones, and balmy riffs coagulate in the compositions by pianist Patrick Battstone and vibraphonist Richard Poole on their new CD, Mystic Nights. Otherworldly numbers like "Gin and Tonic" and "Undertow" resonate like glittering wind chimes while the fluid embers of "Something Lurking" are embalmed in dulcet wisps. The avant garde-slant in the trickling keys along "Newsreel" ripple with an organic agility, and the balmy banter of the vibes and piano keys ringing along "When Creatures Reigned" convey a placid mood.

~Susan Frances, Yahoo! - Full Review…Click Here

 

Mystic Nights is a welcomed addition to any precocious avant-garde or improvisational jazz collection.  Who says jazz is not rocket science?  Not to Patrick Battstone, who by day is a rocket scientist for Draper Labs, joined by his collaborator Richard Poole, the two embark on an expedition beyond the stars. The nature of a duo is an exposed setting that creates a canvas of conversation and exploration.  So when you take two percussive instruments like vibes and piano, and blend them into a sonic message, the end result is the brainchild of pianist Patrick Battstone and vibraphonist Richard Poole, entitled Mystic Nights.

~Geannine Reid, Jazz Times ... click here for full review

 

Mystic Nights effectively combines the subtle side of the piano with the dreamy side of the vibraphone. Pat Battstone (piano) and Richard Poole (vibes) write and record very reserved music that is a definite mood setter. This beautifully-crafted album features very delicate piano and vibraphone recordings with no additional ingredients added because they are unnecessary. So instead of bombarding listeners with the usual overproduced twenty-first century clutter, these guys leave plenty of wide open space in their music...cool dreamy open space that allows the listener to focus on the peculiar nuances of the instruments at hand. This thirteen track album clocks in at well over an hour and it's quite a soothing and cerebral spin. Calming serene compositions include "Scottish Heather," "Newsreel," "Magical Morning," and "Mystic Nights." Ahhh...this one sounds so nice...

~Don Seven, LMNOP Magazine

 

MYSTIC NIGHTS is a piano and vibes pairing of a much cooler temperature. Ray Battstone and Richard Poole may not be well known but they get a crystalline beauty out of this instrumental combination the equal of any of the famous piano-vibes pairings that come to mind like Chick Corea and Gary Burton.  There is a lot of abstraction in Battstone's piano work with gamelan-like hammering and inside strumming and thumping but his playing also contains a melodic beauty reminiscent of Paul Bley. Combining that with Poole's ghostly, resonant vibes work, the end result is a lovely set of music that balances space, atmosphere and melody extremely well.

~Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine

 

I’m not (even a little bit) sure what “Scottish Heather” looks like, but after listening to this opening track, I surely know what it SOUNDS like!  Richard’s vibes meld perfectly with Pat’s piano on all 14 pleasureful tracks, especially on pieces like “Undertow” – one of my favorites – Jaws on steroids, you might say.  This isn’t music for casual listeners, though… you must allow yourself to become totally absorbed in the musical conversations they are conducting for your ears, or you will miss the intent.  If you want your jazz “sculpted” from too familiar patterns, you’ll have to move on to another venue.  I found “Magical Morning” to be my favorite piece, clearly the type of adventure I’d like to wake to on each new day.  I give these gents my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for listeners who are adventuresome and won’t tolerate “ordinary”.  “EQ” (energy quotient) rating is 4.97. 

~Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation

 

Their improvised duets flow freely from tonal, rhythmic-based excursions to dense, darkened clusters. The emphatic rapport evident throughout their latest disc, Mystic Nights, makes it difficult for a listener to turn away. These thirteen short stories work well as a comprehensive suite, yet stand well enough alone as individual bursts of creativity, each with a defining mood. The hurriedness of "Newsreel" and "When Creatures Reigned," bouncy nature of "Gin and Tonic" and meditative trance of "Magical Morning" are a few noticeable examples. The stark title track, named for the Mystic River, which is adjacent to the duo's recording studio, closes the disc with an unsettled intensity, perhaps signaling more to come.

~John Barron, The Jazz Word - Full Review…Click Here

 

This unique set of 13 improvised pieces creates an intensely meditative and mystical ambience filled with satisfyingly thought-provoking ideas. Mystic Nights can be enjoyed casually, but requires a careful and intent listening to be fully appreciated.

~Hrayr Attarian, All About Jazz - Full Review…Click Here

 

Both jazz musicians display an affinity for the avant-garde, and they’re carving personalized identities as an amalgamation of their personal influences. For pianist Pat Battstone, we hear a personality that seems to incorporate styles of Marilyn Crispell, Keith Jarrett, Bobo Stenson, Charlie Banacos and Bill Evans. As far as vibraphonists go, I hear elements of Teddy Charles and Gary Burton (whose “Dreams So Real” album might have been inspirational). Battstone doesn’t just play the piano’s keys. He may pluck the strings to produce overtones, or he may employ hammers directly to the strings.  Richard Poole also has a long resume with many years as a professional musician. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from Florida International University. Performance, production, a piano business and teaching have been his main focus over the years. He’s helped many develop their own voice in music. Now, the two of them together are continuing to cultivate their own musical manifestations. Their kaleidoscope of magical sound is best described as an otherworldly soundscape of sensitive splendor, beautiful colors, and delicate textures.

~Joe Ross, Roots Music Report - Full Review…Click Here

 

Opening the jewel case, one sees Patt Battstone (piano) and Richard Poole(vibraphone( playing at what seems like an intimate live performance, but even that wasn’t enough to provide any hints. Never judge a book by its cover, even if the book provides little to nothing. I had to go in. Mystic Nights (self-released) could have been nothing more than a simple piano and vibraphone album, perhaps sounding cool and reserved, at least that’s what I expected when I saw their photo. But this studio album is anything but reserved.

~John Book, This is Books Music - Full Review…Click Here

 

A piano/vibes face off that showcases minimalist jazz with arts council overtones.  Loaded with an experimental edge that makes this sitting down jazz for hipsters.

~ Chris Spector, MIDWEST RECORD Volume 35/Number 52

 

This is an adventurous encounter that features pianist Pat Battstone with Richard Poole playing vibes. The duo wrote all thirteen tracks building on their first release, Open Door. Mystic Nights is more of a relaxed call and response session capturing a peaceful dialogue between the two musicians. It is an introspective set that invites the listener into their world.

~D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Magazine

 

For those who enjoy the outer reaches of Jazz and improvisational music then they should check out these musicians and their album. Yes, it is outside music's normal comfort zone, and it is pushing away at the borders of what we accept as music, but they said that about Beethoven too.

~John Peters, The Borderland - Full Review…Click Here