GRATKOWSKI/NABATOV/MAHNIG TRIO - Dance Hall Stories
Leo Records CD LR 880
Frank Gratkowski, alto sax, clarinet and bass clarinet, flute; Simon Nabatov, piano; Dominik Mahnig, drums
Recorded at LOFT, Cologne, April 11, 2017
Don’t be misled by the title, it is not a collection of dance tunes – it has no such intention. What I think it is trying to do is to represent some of the human emotions that may be found and experienced in such an environment, possibly over a number of events as a regular visitor. Such neurophysiological experiences might include anger, anticipation, disgust, fear, joy, isolation, rejection, sadness, surprise or trust, though surely not all of these in just one or two visits. It is the individual titles of the pieces which suggest a continuum, a programme or an inter-related archive of such incidents.
What is going on here is a further progression in the development of the freely improvised music of the Gratkowski/Nabatov duo, superbly augmented by the addition of Mahnig’s drumming. The duo has years of experience together and Mahnig joins in with no hesitation on his first time out in a new trio configuration, so that the group presents itself as a long-established, trio unit of some force. It is worth noting also that Gratkowski has elected to extend his gamut by adding clarinets and flute to his toolkit and these allow him to extend his range of moods considerably, easily encompassing the scope I suggested above.
Fun, humour and intellect are all at play in this music, a great vivacity is on display and there is never any question but that the ‘free’ genus is thriving in these capable hands. It’s marvellous.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 880
Frank Gratkowski, alto sax, clarinet and bass clarinet, flute; Simon Nabatov, piano; Dominik Mahnig, drums
Recorded at LOFT, Cologne, April 11, 2017
Don’t be misled by the title, it is not a collection of dance tunes – it has no such intention. What I think it is trying to do is to represent some of the human emotions that may be found and experienced in such an environment, possibly over a number of events as a regular visitor. Such neurophysiological experiences might include anger, anticipation, disgust, fear, joy, isolation, rejection, sadness, surprise or trust, though surely not all of these in just one or two visits. It is the individual titles of the pieces which suggest a continuum, a programme or an inter-related archive of such incidents.
What is going on here is a further progression in the development of the freely improvised music of the Gratkowski/Nabatov duo, superbly augmented by the addition of Mahnig’s drumming. The duo has years of experience together and Mahnig joins in with no hesitation on his first time out in a new trio configuration, so that the group presents itself as a long-established, trio unit of some force. It is worth noting also that Gratkowski has elected to extend his gamut by adding clarinets and flute to his toolkit and these allow him to extend his range of moods considerably, easily encompassing the scope I suggested above.
Fun, humour and intellect are all at play in this music, a great vivacity is on display and there is never any question but that the ‘free’ genus is thriving in these capable hands. It’s marvellous.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
