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Ditty Blei
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| The second recording for Songlines by the guitarist of Jim Black's Alasnoaxis is very different from the improv/ambient/collage approach of Tyft (SGL 1542-2, 2002) -- even though its trio of Jensson, Black and Andrew D'Angelo is back. Here an acoustic quintet runs with Jensson's challenging compositions, giving them a rhythmic flair and melodic/harmonic interest that might recall Chris Speed's Yeah No in its balance between offbeat grooves and improvisational freedom, rock extraversion and jazz discipline. Intricate counterpoint from the horns, abrasive guitar solos, constantly shifting metres, and Black's time-bending percussive commentary complete the picture. With a stark but tender emotional underpinning that engages the listener, Jensson lays out his vision of jazz present and jazz future, even if he questions whether jazz is a useful descriptor for his music:
Ever since the early '90s I've had a close relationship with the music and musicians of the "downtown" scene. There are many exciting things happening in Iceland but this is the core of my musical self. New York is where this style was born and where the strongest players are so it's natural for me to turn there when I need to realize my ideas. The fact that many of these musicians are my close friends makes the choice even more natural. The term "jazz" though doesn't mean anything to me anymore. It's way too broad to define and that's good. I think that many different genres of music are melting into one indefinable style with plenty of room for variation and no need to be anything except good and interesting. This is a Super Audio CD Hybrid that plays on all SACD and CD Players.
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ARTISTS
Hilmar Jensson (electric guitar), Jim Black (drums), Andrew D'Angelo (alto saxophone, bass clarinet), Herb Robertson (trumpet), Trevor Dunn (acoustic bass) |
TRACKS
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