Music Reviews

Wired – Free Improvisation (MYA – Europe)

outlier   2/9/2005   12-inch, A Library

Wired – Free Improvisation (MYA – Europe)
Legendary free music release on Deutsche Grammophon, recorded between 1970-73. Gtr-org-bs-perc-elec combine spontaneously, transporting you to a destination of sonic bliss. A rather consonant free music exploration of the acoustic analog variety with smart electronics in supporting role. Not afraid of space, the quartet’s delicate communications interchange and disperse with timeless agility. Rare moments of clash mark climax and redirection that is woven into a fabric of sonic wonder. Subtle yet powerful- Dense yet never cluttered. Final recording opens with war sirens to marvelous dramatic effect. Ranta collaborated with Harry Parch, Bottner played in Stockhausen’s ensemble, Lewis studied under Dvorak and Plank is considered among the premier German producers. This document is the work of masters in an offering to the Gods – and the Gods looked down and smiled.
– Outlier

Smith, Wadada Leo – Light Upon Light (Tzadik)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, Jazz

Wadada Leo Smith – Light Upon Light (Tzadik)
A fucking masterpiece of sophisticated psychedelia that transcends being a hybrid of jazz and classical. Dreamy, transporting tones wind and mesh through space as a sonic counterbalance. (3,5) Trumpetronics, (1,2,4) String pieces. (3,5) Toshinori Kondo’s ‘Nerve Tripper’ sound – beats + master composer’s awareness of passages’ natural spaces = Wadada Leo Smith ! Proof left to the listener as an exercise. (1,2,4) Similar to Once Festival material (see Tyke), searching phrases unfolding clusters, mid and low-register cello sound, intense minor key stuff but not dark. Stravinsky/Bartok moves with an AMM sense of space, very powerful yet subtle. (4) is like a psychedelic symphony only with a small ensemble. (3) gets to Japan psych chant rock spaces but from an African jazz point of origin.
– Outlier

Sixes – Organ Cuts

outlier   2/9/2005   A Library, CD

Sixes – Organ Cuts
Not chainsaw stuff ! Soundscapes from the noise quadrant. Reminds of early Merzbow (singles, Rainbow Electronics) bu with more continuity, less dense and less harsh. 2 tracks about 30m each but with 8-10 m passages in each. (1) Noisetronics / sirens, wind, tracers-vapors of notes / merzbow under tuvan influence, note factory stuff. (2) organ treatments, minor key stuff / minimalist handsaw, tronix bikers / galactic awareness through better electronics.
– Outlier

Montoya, Robert – Robert M (Accretions)

outlier   2/9/2005   A Library, CD

Robert Montoya – Robert M (Accretions)
A dialectical synthesis of drone and beats with timing that is resolute yet spacey and textures that are synthetic yet lush. Anomalous and amorphous soundscapes (like euro-movie soundtracks at the moment of denouement) give a feeling of train travel through a foggy mountainous landscape. Montoya compiles sounds from television and layers them into soundscapes that transcend the medium and consciousness altogether. Tio Mate (5) is a compelling piece of pulsing soundwaves under Burroughs soundbytes. Sinestre (2) is a sonic colossus that attempts to communicate with other forms of intelligence – let them know you get the message- Play the shit out of this !
– Outlier

Radio Phnom Penh – s/t (Sublime Frequencies)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, International

Radio Phnom Penh – s/t (Sublime Frequencies)
More radio transmissions from SE Asia courtesy of Alan Bishop, this time from Cambodia. Authentic Asian 60’s pop with somewhat tribal beats sound underneath. The feel of classically trained musicians having fun in pop expressions of celebration. Lack of production quality is outweighed by the crisp execution of pop constructions that are probably well known by all in the village for generations. Familiarity to the point of an unstrained memory of passages that give a flowing sound around tightly arranged and performed tunes. If you liked Neung Phak’s “Tui Tiu Tui”, why not get a taste of the real thing !
– Outlier

Eskelin, Ellery – Ten (Hat Hut Records)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, Jazz

Ellery Eskelin – Ten (Hat Hut Records)
10yr anniversary of the outside jazz trio of Eskelin, Parkins and Black. EPB explore underdeveloped textures in jazz. Forget the Grey Poupon Shit, ‘Ten’ is alive with spirited lyricism of theatrical quality and force. Marc Ribot appears on guitar on last half of cd. Jessica Constable delivers stellar vocal energy on 4 tracks, comparable to Fontella Bass w/ Art Ensemble of Chicago in feel. 2-8 minute tracks, adventurous sound. No formal attire required, just a head for sound reflection.
– Outlier

Ranaldo Licht Krieger DJ Olive Marclay – Text of Light (Table of the Elements)

outlier   2/9/2005   A Library, CD

Ranaldo Licht Krieger DJ Olive Marclay – Text of Light (Table of the Elements)
Drifting, mesmerizing drone traverses the depths of sonic possibilities. Signals, feedback and transmissions pulsate in a collective continuum. Like a beam from a lighthouse, guitars cast in and fade out leaving you to ponder the complex ultra-ambient soundscape. Waves of combined sounds emanate up from the pulses of each artist’s contribution. Two guitars, percussion, turntables and electronics make for dense textures. Masterful timing gives this free improvised offering a stellar compositional quality.
18m=> play the whole damn thing !
– Outlier

Hooker, William Quartet – Lifeline (Silkheart)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, Jazz

William Hooker Quartet – Lifeline (Silkheart)
(1) Loosely woven alto sax runs accent the percussive conversation b/w Wm Parker and Hooker. Double sax solo opens into main theme followed by a Hooker recitation then 40m+ of blowing and pounding. Not as edgy as a Vandermark or Brotzmann piece, it flows fluently, unburdened by structural constraints, as if exploring the edges of familiar territory without wandering. (2) ts-trb-pn-dr, Chamber jazz w/choppped piano and recitation setting up a blowout. (3) same instr as 2, a Muhal Richard Abrams type blowout (Wise in Time-condensed w/o percussion). Refined yet relentlessly unleashed jazz energy.
3w: Flowing Forceful Free-verse
– Outlier

Parker,Drumm and Zerang, Jeff, Kevin, Michael – Out Trios Volume 2 (Atavistic)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, Jazz

Parker Drumm Zerang – Out Trios Volume 2 (Atavistic)
A musical maelstrom of free sounds from 2 gtr w/ elec and drums of the organic noise variety with fuge-like interchanges as home base. Sounds like what the main character of Memento heard in his head when he tried to remember shit. Flashing, percolating meshes of sonic sorcery with sustained ferocity. The 2nd release of the Out Trios on Atavistic but definitely not 2nd place stuff. Ranges from an active continuum of surging flashpoints with chopped guitar to Hafleresque soundscapes with driving drums or chord progression mutations. Out of the Chicago scene, Parker (Chicago Underground Duo, Isotope, Tortoise), Drumm (Vandermark territorial band) and Zerang (Solisitice w/ Hamid Drake) get OUT and take you on their journey to the other side – the OUTSIDE ! “Onslaught” smashes the sonic barrier.
3w: Massive Memento Maelstrom
– Outlier

Ware, David S Quartet – Oblations and Blessings (Silkheart)

outlier   2/9/2005   CD, Jazz

David S Ware Quartet – Oblations and Blessings (Silkheart)
No bowties here, this is the HARD stuff ! Jazz in attack mode elegance and ballad ballistics. Ware catches the TRANE out of town and out of the stratosphere, blasting the quartet’s way to new truths communicable only in phrases of music. The musical messages within have concise urgency like a war zone reporter on a 1m call to the main bureau. This is Ware in ’95 backed by Shipp, Parker and Dickey – a classic quartet of ts-pn-bs-dr whose heritage is of pure late Impulse era Coltrane Quartet stuff. Undeniable momentum forward, upward and OUT, leveraged by Shipp’s McCoy Tyner/ John Hicks style of comping.
3w: Coltrane Resurrection Revelation !
– Outlier