Paradoxical Frog – “Union” – [Clean Feed]

Thurston Hunger   9/26/2014   CD, Jazz

2012 release from this trio, of sax (Ingrid Laubrock),
piano (Kris Davis) and drums (Tyshawn Sorey) Coming
from all over (Germany/Canada/New Jersey respectively)
recorded in NYC , this is their 2nd release. A series
of generally gentle compositions with spare scattered
notes, check out the stacatto start on the title track
that then moves into a sort of drone jazz phase
(something they do very well, with Sorey’s whispering
cymbals) The three “Strike” themed pieces work the
hushing, soft-cycling drones. Meanwhile back to “Union”
that piece ends up with some of the most fiery work here,
as Laubrock skronks up and Davis hits the bottom end of her
piano, before a little high-end trickle finish. High
trickle is more often employed, with also euro-jazz
tight-rope precision on the players. Pretty cool that
Sorey steps away from his drums for a trombone tunnel
on “Masterisk” (written by Laubrock, each member composed
at least two pieces here). They are democratic in
delivery as well as writing. Apparently their namesake
is larger as a child (tadpole) than as an adult frog,
and that is clearly in line with their less is more
approach here.

-Thurston Hunger