Mark Allaway

Paul Downing: Social Control Mechanism Number One

by Christopher Wheatley
December 9, 2024

Bassist Paul Downing is an artist with an eclectic taste whose music covers many grounds. In previous records, he has explored free improvisation, heavy funk, and, on Flight Through Cloudless Sky (Paulos Records, 1994), produced a fascinating suite of solo pieces performed using the meta-'cello, an instrument tuned in fourths. Social Control Mechanism Number One is quite different but no less absorbing. Here, Downing is joined by Mark Allaway on sax, flute and bass clarinet, with Mike Eaves ...