Paul Dunmall/Paul Rogers/Marc Sanders

One of those sessions you figure was recorded all at once off the floor, Wildlife’s four overlong tracks feature three UK players who need no prompting to improvise at great length. The key here though is that all have the skill, sophistication and experience to do so without becoming indulgent. Tenor and soprano saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist Paul Dunmall and 7-string bassist Paul Rogers have been playing since the 1970s in numerous band and together as part of Mujician. Slightly younger, Marc Sanders is drummer of choice for almost countless creative music configurations.

While Dunmall’s ability to offer contrasting sonic strategies on each instrument encompassing fierce saxophone smears, delicate flute trills and clarinet lyricism, is then mated with Sanders’ sympathetic strokes ranging from drum clip-clops to cymbal sizzles, it’s Rogers’ unusual string-set which multiplies sonic possibilities. On “Another Other” for instance he agitates the balance of stentorian drum rolls and clarinet flutters with superfast string strums and sawing that soon evolves into echoing pops. On the title tune his arco rubs maintain intensity whether producing rhythmic twangs or a near-formal contrasting exposition. And on “The Last Word” his accompaniment slides upwards from barely there string taps to stropped buzzes that emphasize the strings taut metallic properties. Dunmall’s tenor saxophone response includes the same sort of throated smears he would unleash facing electric bass flanges.

Impelling delicate, tough, bright, dour and unexpected textures when needed throughout, the trio easily demonstrates how well cooperative and comprehensive in-the-moment improvising can be expressed by the right musicians.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Wildlife 2. Another Other 3. Beauty Sung In Another Way 4. The Last Word

Personnel: Paul Dunmall (tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet and flute); Paul Rogers (7-string bass) and Marc Sanders (drums)