Alexey Kruglov / Yuri Yaremchuka / Peter Ivshin

A go-for-broke session that situates multi-reedist Alexey Kruglov within Energy Music, this program confirms the Moscow-based improviser’s versatility. For while this disc may be unadulterated Free Jazz, during the past decade or so Kruglov has recorded in big bands and small groups, in contexts that mixed traditional and original material and played innovators ranging from Vladimir Tarasov to Gebhard Ullmann. A singular Slavic-Tarter take on 21st Century Free Jazz, Sound Code’s 11 tracks also feature veteran Ukraine-based saxophonist/clarinetist Yuri Yaremchuk, who has been part of the P.U.R. Collective, plus in-demand Russian percussionist Petr Ivshin, who among others works with Arkadiy Shilkopper.

The horn players ability circulate among 10 woodwinds on Kruglov’s part and four on Yaremchuk’s, which means that an extensive tone spectrum is available throughout. Plus Ivshin’s assertive and/or acquiescent strokes cement the partnership. Tracks such as “Code 819” and “Code 561” built around the drummer’s clattering paradiddles and industrial strength rumbles situate the trio on multiphonic expression that wouldn’t be out of place in an Albert Ayler album, although the woody clarinet smears confirm originality. Otherwise the unison horn work often judders to altissimo, with flattement, split tones and overblowing common occurrences. Excitement reaches such a fever pitch here and elsewhere that verbalized screams are prominent among the reed extensions.

It appears as if the horns are blowing constantly, frequently engaged in challenging call-and-response, and with the remaining space equivalently dominated by the drummer’s pile-driver responses. Most tracks create Bizarro harmonies that layer variations of tongue slaps, sighs, slurps, squeaks and howls into the swaying polyphony sometimes, as on “Code 559”, reaching almost insurmountable peaks. Still the disc’s centerpiece is the extended “Code 356”. During its volatile 13 minutes impulsive timbres taking in glossolalia, split tones and screeches honk in triple-tongued frenzy until they’re broken down into tough tenor saxophone lowing and strident goose-like cries from higher-pitched reeds. Segmented by a protracted drum solo so intense that you can also hear sticks flying, strands of a reed melody are pushed aside for a climatic crescendo mating near-Dixieland beats with an Energy Music explosion. More adventurous than some of Kruglov’s other projects, this accomplished trio deserves more exposure.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Code 126 2. Code 275 3. Code 819 4. Code 784 5. Code 356 6. Code 468 7. Code 153 8. Code 561 9. Code 559 10. Code 295 11. Code 327

Personnel: Alexey Kruglov (alto saxophone, prepared alto saxophone, alto saxophone mouthpiece, clarinet, alto clarinet prepared alto clarinet, Tver horn, blockflute and recorder); Yuri Yaremchuk (soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and bass clarinet) and Petr Ivshin (drums, percussion and objects)