Engel, Bazzicalupo,Thomsen

Free Music with the suggestion  of percussion and electro-acoustic properties but without drums or electronics defines this trio’s invention as well as improvisation’s adaptability. Pan-European, the trio consists of Italian guitarist Andrea Bazzicalupo, Copenhagen bassist Asger Thomsen, and Jonas Engel, who moves between Köln and Copenhagen playing alto saxophone, clarinet and modified p-trumpet. Interesting enough the latter two have been in bands featuring committed drummers like Dominik Mahnig and Etienne Nillesen.

Between the textures droned, ratcheted, buzzed, stroked and squeaked from the band’s collection of objects, preparations and modifications, enough underlying cadences and rumbles exist that the lack of real drums isn’t noticed. At the same time the equivalent of voltage oscillations are heard joined by sul ponticello and col legno bass string strokes plus clanks and flanges from the guitarist. This creates a responsive undertow whose timbres resemble matches striking a flint, typewriter key strokes, radio signals and metallic abrasions.

With foundation accounted for, the expositions’ shapes reflect individual motifs like Engel’s split tone squeaks or corkscrew tremolo variations on tracks such as “Minuscules” or Bazzicalupo’s string fluctuations, which on track like “Torpid Waltz” or “Wasteland” set up quickened strums, dedicated flails or reverberating twangs that chime bell-like. Often these motifs and circularly breathed (Engel) or tersely intersected (Bazzicalupo) intermittently are heard among the almost continuous rasping drones produced by Thomsen’s bowed bass string pressure. Pitch variables and tempo variations are also added to the mix with unexpected human-like cries and static crackles weaving in and out of the program.

In spite of the interlaced timbres, sound composite never become overbearing, nor does creativity take second place to concentration. Tonal hubbub may be heard at points, but it’s quickly resolved as horizontal evolution. In some languages Ø is define as a rounded vowel, but in this case it represents a rounded program offering a dedicated free music design.

–Ken Waxman .

Track Listing1. Distant Form 2. Minuscules 3. Aerodynes 4. Cavus 5. Fish Bell 6. Torpid Waltz 7. Extend In Rays 8. Wasteland 9. Sport Of Erratic

Personnel: Jonas Engel (alto saxophone, clarinet and modified p-trumpet); Andrea Bazzicalupo (guitar and preparations) and Asger Thomsen (bass and objects)