Eckhardt, John – “Xylobiont” – [Emanem]

humana   4/26/2012   A Library, CD

Eckhardt displays his great virtuosity on the solo double bass on this release of improvisations influenced by the music of Xenakis, Feldman, and Ligeti. Here he uses “no overdubs, no edits, no electronic processing”–just his own technique and an instrument that, through plucking, bowing, and percussing, does behave like the “organism of wood” for which this CD is named. Very minimalist, although check out 4 for a fast-paced departure from the sound you expect to hear from a double bass.