 | | | | | | | | | |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
|
|
Gary Lopez's Breviarium 10 October 2000 TODD SICKAFOOSE GROUP - Dogs Outside (Evander Music) A straight-ahead jazz recording of original compositions from a very promising creative music group led by San Francisco native bassist/composer Todd Sickafoose. This lively swing influenced music is playful, inventive and at times moody. It features a talented band of saxophonist Peter Epstein, trombonist Alan Ferber, guitarist Justin Morell, and drummer Mark Ferber. Definitely worth multiple listenings! Recommended. For additional information check out the Evander website: http://www.evandermusic.com/. ADAM LANE - Hollywood Wedding (Cadence Jazz Records) An amazing furious instrumental band debut recording led by San Francisco Bay Area young lion bassist/composer Adam Lane. This CD grooves, swings, avant disturbs! Lane has certainly studied the great creative music masters from Wadada Leo Smith to Luigi Nono. Recorded in various sessions with revolving cast of musicians and brilliant performances from guitarist Ryan Francesconi, reedist Lynn Johnston, trumpeter Josef Leimberg, trombonist Scott Ray and drummer Dave Shaffer. Lane's original jazz band compositions and orchestrations are slick, imaginative, and laden with a heavy dose of Mingusesque spirit. Lane covers a lot of musical terrain from Ellington-influenced big band arrangements to passages of heavy avant noise musings. Highly Recommended! For additional information check out the Cadence Jazz Records website: http://www.cadencebuilding.com. MARCELO RADULOVICH/MARCOS FERNANDES - The Whisper Chipper (Accretions) Sometimes overlooked, San Diego-based multi-instrumentalists Marcelo Radulovich and Marcos Fernandes, founding members of the Trummerflora Collective, have once again produced a wonderful haunting improvisational-based recording of wood chipper/shredder field recordings combined with layers of ambient guitar noise loops, radio collages and tamboura box percussion. The overall result of these processed compositions with multiple and delayed effects are stunning and beautifully mesmerizing. This is a must-have item for the avid connoisseur of ambient electro-acoustic music. For additional information check out http://www.accretions.com. BUTCHER/ROBAIR/SPERRY - 12 Milagritos (Spool) Percussionist Gino Robair and contrabassist Matthew Sperry, staples of the San Francisco Bay Area creative music scene, team up with British free-improv veteran saxophonist John Butcher for an intriguing and captivating recording. This trio tightly explores the post-Cageian aesthetic of consecutive discrete sounds, short durations, sharp gestures, sensitive dynamics, extended techniques, prepared elements and striking silences; pushing the envelope of what these instruments are capable of producing in an interactive improv environment. An exciting listening experience. Highly recommended for fans of AMM, Mats Gustafsson and Wrist Error. For additional information check out the Spool Music label website http://www.spoolmusic.com. STEEV HISE - Original (Illegal Art) San Francisco computer music meister Steev Hise conjures a highly interesting work of recycled sound art in his latest sonic adventure. This recording represents highlights of Hise's intriguing work of digital audio manipulation and music software programming through a barrage of source material samples ranging from the Beatles to Kurt Cobain. Hise incredibly juxtaposes and balances many complex layers of ambient sound processing, noise collage and social commentary into one cohesive work of sound art. Brilliant and enjoyable! Recommended for the post-modern Derrida crowd. For additional information check out http://www.detritus.net/illegalart/. SURREALESTATE - Contrafactum (Acoustic Levitation) A poetic debut recording from Los Angeles free improv group Surrealestate led by music erudite composer/saxophonist Robert Reigle, featuring stellar performances by percussionist Gustavo Aguilar, saxophonist David Borgo, electric guitarist Jonathan Grasse, percussionist Kaye Lubach, drummer David Martinelli and bassist Todd Sickafoose. Contrafactum is a fine conglomerate of improv stylings, and free sonic experimentation. References to Giacinto Sclesi, Alfred Schnittke and The Art of Ensemble of Chicago, Surrealestate explores a wide spectrum of free structured improvisation to the focused compositions of Aguilar, Reigle, Grasse and Borgo. A well thought-out and resonant effort! Recommended for the eclectic improv listener. For additional information check out http://www.oxfordmusic.com/jazzr.html. CRIB - Forward Back (Win) The latest solo recording of seductively static but barely audible bass tones by Los Angeles based bassist/composer Devin Sarno. Sarno filters his electric bass instrument through different electronic devices to create this surreal meditative low-end soundscapes--violinist Petra Haden is featured on one of the compositions. Quiet and foreboding, Sarno never quite enters the New Age realm due to his careful placement of resonant drone stratas delicately brushed with harmonic tension. Fascinating and artful music. Recommended for the Dali-esque surreal listener! For additional information check out http://www.winrecords.com. KAORU ABE- Last Date 8.28, 1978 (DIW Records) The last recording from 1978 of late great enigmatic Japanese free jazz legend Kaoru Abe (he died in 1979). This penetrating CD contains three extended solo improvisations for saxophone, guitar and harmonica. Abe's improvisations are at times intense and frantic but at the same time he allows the music to breathe with small spaces of silence in between the flurry of linear gestures. His saxophone has a simple pure tone. His guitar approach is percussive and abrasive, reminiscent of Derek Bailey. His harmonica playing is melodically haunting with cyclic gypsy-sounding motifs. This CD draws one into the solo inner musical workings of Kaoru Abe's passionate soul. Highly recommended. For additional information check out http://www.forcedexposure.com/labels/diw.japan.html. Label contacts for this issue's reviews: Evander Music Cadence Jazz Records DIW Records Accretions Spool Music Illegal Art Acoustic Levitation WIN RECORDS
Gary Lopez's Breviarium 11 March 2001 ALL TIME PRESENT - Good Vibrations/No Expectations (Evolving Ear) New York avant rock improv with trio guitar and interwoven percussion. Engaging, busy music with an unexpectedly spacious quality. Good to listen while doing the dishes. http://www.expectdealy.com/bottomfeeder AARON BENNETT - Live at the Luggage (ADBSound) A set of engaging solo improvisations performed by bay area saxophonist recorded at The Luggage Store Gallery in San Francisco California. It also features a splendid sax/vocal duet with renowned bay area vocalist and performance artist Kattt Sammon. A slice of the bay area scene. http://www.clamazon.com DAN DECHELLIS - Chamber Music (Sachimay) New York based composer/pianist/improviser joined with a qaurtet of theremin, percussion, voice and violin. A richly textured, sparse, and layered minimalist dialogue of chamber improvisations. An introspective listening of post-Feldman meets free jazz forays. http://www.sachimay.com DONKEY - Show (Accretions) San Diego electroacoustic improvisation duo with guest performers by bay area clarinetist matt ingalls and Marcus B. A distinctive and absorbing exploration of open form, structured improvisation and noise. Music for science fiction enthusiasts. http://www.accretions.com HANS FJELLESTAD - Red Sauce Baby (Accretions) New music by San Diego based composer/performer with guest performers. Strong in both composition and content, a genuinely intriguing balance of collective improvisations, guided compositons and sound art. A soundtrack for your ears. http://www.accretions.com BOB MARSH/CAROL GENETTI - In the Garden of Earthly Delights (Spring Garden Music) Bay Area multi-instrumentalist teams up with Chicago-based vocalist for tight forays of resonant strings and free-scat vocalizations. This duo reveals captivating color and depth in their collaboration. A good late night listening on headphones. http://www.springgaredenmusic.com TOM NUNN - Burning Palms (Garuda) Another fine San Francisco Bay Area collection of adventurous solo improvisations on the Octatonic T-Rodimba, an original musical instrument designed and built by veteran Bay Area creative musician Tom Nunn. A delightful exploration of sound and performance. This is a must-have recording for the experimental instrument enthusiast. http://www.GarudaRecords.com JOHN SHIURBA - Solo Guitar Volume 2: Electric (Limited Sedition) A collection of moving and unfolding solo improvisations by the Bay Area guitarist. Shiurba demonstrates a playful and wonderful mix of prepared techniques and conventional methods. An excellent example of post-Bailey guitar playing. http://www.sfo.com/~shiurba/sedition.html MATT WESTON - Vacuums (Sachimay) Solo percussion and electronics from this emerging Boston improviser. A subtle, intense, and spacious approach to percussion with a tinge of electronics. A good representation of post-Robair drumming. http://www.sachimay.com W.O.O. REVELATOR - The Theory of Reversed Effort (Sweet Stuff Media/Evolving Ear) New York power avant rock trio of woodwinds/electronics, electric guitar, drums. Raw, primitive, and powerful maelstrom of improv. The epitomy of underground. http://www.wooweb.com JACK WRIGHT - Saxes: Places to Go (Spring Garden Music) Solo improv from veteran Colorado free jazz saxophonist. A wide free form sound-oriented exploration of the reed instrument, with a focus on nuance and delicacy. A good resource of saxophone extended techniques. http://www.springgaredenmusic.com |
© 1997-2002 pfMENTUM. All rights reserved.
pfMENTUM® is a registered trademark and the pfMENTUM and New Creative Music logos are the trademarks of pfMENTUM. |