What interests me (one of the things) in today's improvisational music world is that there are no limitations on the content of the improvisations. They can utilize the vocabulary of modern jazz, they can evoke rock elements, they can go with the language of "free" music, or, with today's CD, they can veer more towards the modern classical side.
But just because you do something doesn't mean you do it well of course. With Jean-Marie Foltz (clarinets), Matt Turner (cello), and Bill Carrothers (piano), "well" doesn't begin to describe what they do. To the Moon (Ayler 112) has the introspective contemplation of a George Crumb and a Claude Debussy. It has when warranted the power of the best of the improv ensembles. It has some of the spaciness of classic ECM jazz. And it has the fascination with unusual sound color and aural pauses of Cage and Stockhausen.
The resulting music is very accessible for those who have some familiarity with the above styles. Out of all their influences Foltz-Turner-Carrothers have crafted music that is occasionally breathtaking, always interesting, and all their own.
Highly recommended.
Isn't that thing a ball? Mr Berland mailed it to me a while ago and I'm still dragging my heels on music description writing. One reason is because you and Stef at Free Jazz cover it so well it seems dumb to pile on.
ReplyDeleteHere's another reference of what it sounds like, to me anyway, the austere earlier work of a group from Liege called Art Zoyd that grew out of Magma albeit only more grown up and without all the kitsch adornment.
Ayler seems to release these interesting pairings lately. One thing will be a sort of nocturne, reflective in its way, night music and the other will be some denser day music like SNUS or that Gonzalez disc. I like it.
Christopher--
ReplyDeleteI agree, very astute. Night music and day music in pairs. Never thought about it in quite that way but now I see it (plain as night and day? Ugh). Seriously though, I've never heard Art Zoyd but it sounds like I should because I love this sort of thing. Thanks much for your precient comments. Jump in any time!
Cheers,
Grego
Chris,
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned, the piling on effect doesn't matter and the more the music is discussed, the more it "circulates", which is the only goal after all.
Thanks for the kind words, both of you, helps with struggling for the following ones to exist.
Cheers,
Stephane
All true, Stephane. This music deserves a large exposure. And thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Grego