Abdou-Boni

Arvind Ganga/Ricardo Marogna
Ballads from the Wrecked Ship
New Wave of Jazz NWOJ 0042

Taking on the challenge of stripped-down improvisations are two international guitar-reeds duos that slice elaborations to essence without superfluous obligations or obstreperousness. Both however use electric guitar properties to provide the chordal and collateral impulses that complement horn switching.

Both Den Haag-based, though Arvind Ganga who plays guitar and objects is Dutch, and Riccardo Marogna, who uses electronics with his tenor saxophone and bass clarinet is from Verona, the Netherlands duo have played internationally over the years and worked with dancers and in multi-media. If Marogna-Ganga are an instance of creative music’s internationalism, then Sakina Abdou, who plays soprano/alto saxophones and recorder, and guitarist Raymond Boni are example of Free Music’s lack of age divisions. Both French, Abdou, who is 28, has worked with many member of Lille’s Muzzix collective, while Boni, 74, has played with everyone from Joe McPhee to Didier Lasserre.

Sounding almost detuned, Ganga’s guitar strokes which begin his duo disc, combine with object rattling and electronic crackles to produce a defining exposition alongside Marogna’s split tones or darker scoops. When some tracks undulate to unexpected fragmentation due to reed honks, altissimo smears or seemingly never-ending strums, a basic linearly preserves the tracks’ flow. Some improvisations such as “Zeelas” and the concluding “Kzans”, intensify the harshness with, for instance, electronics bringing crinkling vibrations into the mix, adding to chiming guitar resounds plus circular breathed puffs. “Kzans” ups the ante with stiff clanks and clips from Ganga’s objects and strings while Marogna’s undulating flutters complete the piece. These whistling peeps are also heard on warmer track such as “The Limp Leaves Waited For Rain, While The Black Clouds Gathered far distant, over Himavant”. Meanwhile moderated reed vibrations and linear slurs quicken into fragmented and dissonant split tones in response to metallic string strokes that get louder and more intense as the piece evolves.

Leaving her recorder prowess to singular peeps and trills, on the other disc, Abdou concentrates her shifting reed colors to saxophones, especially the alto. With it, speed, stress and strategy are reflected, but only enough so that transverse flow isn’t disrupted.  Doits, tongued peeps and vibrating scoops are built into linear evolution, which in the case of a track like “Volume des vides du sol” is forced out in one long, breathless thrust, matched with finger-picking and door-stopper-like vibrations from Boni. Detuned string thumps eventually become thick shuffling thrusts to counter the saxophone line diffusing into gurgles and tongue slaps. Boni’s connective rumbles and slides often torqued up from communicative slurred fingering in order to effectively counter Abdou’s speedy flattement and irregularly voiced textures. As on “Guérison inattendue” he counters the saxophonist’s irregular vibrations and in-and-out respirations with presto and staccato strokes. At the same time as horizontal clunks and effectively emphasized plinks regularize any unexpected reed detonation, Boni’s output can also be rougher. Dobro-like clanging twangs help define “D’un bord à l’autre” as key percussion on her part replace Abdou’s simple respiration. Rubbing and picking his strings to emphasize their resiliency, Boni’s barbed thrusts and wide twangs easily match the saxophonist’s sour cries.

Limiting interaction to two instruments doesn’t lead to a lessening in power, production or perception. Plus part of the fascination of these session is following how improvisations are created, shaped and resolved.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Ballads: 1. Oed’ und lees das Meer 2. Chozodia 3. The Limp Leaves Waited For Rain, While The Black Clouds Gathered far distant, over Himavant 4. Phantoon 5. Zeelas 6. Kzans

Personnel: Ballads: Ricardo Marogna (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet and electronics) and Arvind Ganga (guitar and objects)

Track Listing: Sources: 1. Miroir d’eau  2. Résurges 3. Miror au alouettes 4. Souvenir non identifié 5. Guérison inattendue 6. D’un bord à l’autre 7. Ascendence de l’air 8. Volume des vides du sol 9.  La source, le fleuve et l’océan

Personnel: Sources: Sakina Abdou (soprano and alto saxophones and recorder) and Raymond Boni (guitar and harmonica)