FRANK GRATKOWSKI - Skein
Leo Records CD LR 708
Frank Gratkowski: clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone; Achim Kaufmann: piano; Wilbert de Joode: bass; Okkyung Lee: 'cello; Richard Barrett: electronics; Tony Buck: drums
The music is pure improvisation, without any imposed restraints, presented by the Gratkowski, Kaufmann, de Joode trio which has extended itself into a sextet, seemingly for the purpose of deconstructing chemical processes essential to the movement of molecules. Whether or not these may be biochemical reactions related to the structure of the human genome remains open to debate, but with the presence of guest pianist Richard Barrett of Swansea, whose degree in Genetics and Microbiology should not be left to wither on the vine, the conclusion might be left to the imagination.
The musicians are representative of truly 21st century music with multifarious roots in the 20th. Kaufmann, for example, had studied with Steve Coleman, Dave Holland and Steve Lacy. Korean Okkyung Lee has a classical training and has worked with Laurie Anderson, Evan Parker and John Zorn, while Australian drummer Tony Buck can boast of experience with Zorn, Peter Brotzmann, Vincent Herring and Phil Minton.
The music is very much like a chemical reaction as maybe seen from the inside. Sounds are discontinuous and fragmented; the decomposing anions and cations oscillate under their own electrostatic charges to form new links where they can, rather than where they are willed, until one must wonder if any of the equations will ever reach equilibrium.
This is a fine album of startlingly free improvisation. It's spectacular.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 708
Frank Gratkowski: clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone; Achim Kaufmann: piano; Wilbert de Joode: bass; Okkyung Lee: 'cello; Richard Barrett: electronics; Tony Buck: drums
The music is pure improvisation, without any imposed restraints, presented by the Gratkowski, Kaufmann, de Joode trio which has extended itself into a sextet, seemingly for the purpose of deconstructing chemical processes essential to the movement of molecules. Whether or not these may be biochemical reactions related to the structure of the human genome remains open to debate, but with the presence of guest pianist Richard Barrett of Swansea, whose degree in Genetics and Microbiology should not be left to wither on the vine, the conclusion might be left to the imagination.
The musicians are representative of truly 21st century music with multifarious roots in the 20th. Kaufmann, for example, had studied with Steve Coleman, Dave Holland and Steve Lacy. Korean Okkyung Lee has a classical training and has worked with Laurie Anderson, Evan Parker and John Zorn, while Australian drummer Tony Buck can boast of experience with Zorn, Peter Brotzmann, Vincent Herring and Phil Minton.
The music is very much like a chemical reaction as maybe seen from the inside. Sounds are discontinuous and fragmented; the decomposing anions and cations oscillate under their own electrostatic charges to form new links where they can, rather than where they are willed, until one must wonder if any of the equations will ever reach equilibrium.
This is a fine album of startlingly free improvisation. It's spectacular.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
