GEBHARD ULLMANN & ALEXEY KRUGLOV - Moscow - Berlin
Fancy Music CD FANCY 098
Gebhard Ullmann, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, electronics; Alexey Kruglov, alto saxophone, alto clarinet, recorder
Concept originated in Russia and recorded in Germany, 2014
FANCYMUSIC is a record label which focuses on a wide range of contemporary new music written by Russian musicians. It is a platform on which newer names may be encountered.
Gebhard Ullmann has been described by Paul Bley as “one of the finest improvising artists in the world today”. He has been one of the principal proclaimers of the music scenes in Berlin and internationally. His first release with Kruglov is all about different instruments and improvisation, this latter coming as no surprise. He even mixes in sampling and electronics and the duo managed to complete their work ‘in a couple of hours’. The music was however further developed during a riverside tour of cities on the Wolga in Russia.
Multi-instrumentalist Alexey Kruglov is also firmly established in the avant-garde enclaves, this time in Russia, where his folk-like lyricism is often robustly challenged by his punk-like dynamism. His playing multiple instruments at once – in the manner of Roland Kirk – even at times doing without the mouthpieces – or switching live and on the fly between sax, piano and percussion are all executed without missing a beat, a puff or a pluck. Free jazz improvisation? It is all here and it is warm, an echo of the empathy in the music and between these two excellent musicians. Here is an hour of sheer delight.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Fancy Music CD FANCY 098
Gebhard Ullmann, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, electronics; Alexey Kruglov, alto saxophone, alto clarinet, recorder
Concept originated in Russia and recorded in Germany, 2014
FANCYMUSIC is a record label which focuses on a wide range of contemporary new music written by Russian musicians. It is a platform on which newer names may be encountered.
Gebhard Ullmann has been described by Paul Bley as “one of the finest improvising artists in the world today”. He has been one of the principal proclaimers of the music scenes in Berlin and internationally. His first release with Kruglov is all about different instruments and improvisation, this latter coming as no surprise. He even mixes in sampling and electronics and the duo managed to complete their work ‘in a couple of hours’. The music was however further developed during a riverside tour of cities on the Wolga in Russia.
Multi-instrumentalist Alexey Kruglov is also firmly established in the avant-garde enclaves, this time in Russia, where his folk-like lyricism is often robustly challenged by his punk-like dynamism. His playing multiple instruments at once – in the manner of Roland Kirk – even at times doing without the mouthpieces – or switching live and on the fly between sax, piano and percussion are all executed without missing a beat, a puff or a pluck. Free jazz improvisation? It is all here and it is warm, an echo of the empathy in the music and between these two excellent musicians. Here is an hour of sheer delight.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
