Colin Webster / Dirk Serries

With more emphasis on second than the first word of this title, British alto saxophonist Colin Webster and Belgian guitarist Dirk Serries assiduously evolve six gripping improvisations. Yet by evoking vocational smarts and artisans’ dexterity, the duets are as spacious as they are Spartan.

Associates of a group of innovators that involve players from many European countries, Webster and Serries often work alone or together in larger configurations. But their singularity as a duo relates to the textural vestments they use to clothe bare bone improvisations. Unlike similar guitar/reed duo the approach isn’t low key or inconsistent. Instead the two operate with continuous dynamics, busily and intensely filling every space with reed extrapolations or guitar extensions, connecting timbres as they express the narratives.

Pushing aside acoustic guitar delicacy, Serries most constant trope is creating durable strums, enhancing the guitar’s rhythmic possibilities as Webster runs through extended reed techniques that encompass renal sequels, chalumeau growls, tongue slaps, vibrating split tones and echoing slurs. The saxophonist sometime seems to be extracting timbres from deep inside his instrument’s body tube, emphasizing its metallic qualities. Not to be outdone, but in the spirit of cooperation not challenge, besides rhythmic licks, Serries keeps the crammed kinetic interface on all six tracks churning. This takes the form of string hammering, swirling flanges, stropped twangs and shaking crunches.

Consistent from introduction to conclusion, the two maintain ambulatory narratives that unroll logically alongside many snarls, squeaks, strops and slides put to distinctive use. Mature in the use of single tones or tonal concentration, any exposition can be expressed simply whether it’s with airy tongue flutters or repeated string crunches. The key is maintaining robust sonic totality until the final “Nail” concludes the program as both relax into unexpected silences.

Overall, the disc confirms Webster’s and Serries’ ability to construct an original and compelling take on stripped down duo improvising.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Spring 2, Bearing 3. Switch 4. Blande 5. Wires 6. Nail

Personnel: Colin Webster (alto saxophone) and Dirk Serries (acoustic guitars)