Boolvar

Enhancing the accomplished Punk-Jazz assembled on its debut disc, Boolvar – Parisian Delphine Joussein using flute, voice and effects and Lyonnais Sheik Anorak on drums and electronics – project a mixture of strength and shrewdness. Flashing through five tracks in a Ramones-length 26 minutes, the duo proves that creative music doesn’t have to be hushed or obscure and how to use voltage to its utmost.

With all the tracks guided by Anorak’s backbeat a channel of foot-tapping energy flows though them. This energy is supplemented by on-and-off wave form drones. Meanwhile Joussein’s effects-manipulations means that her side-blown modules include both expected ethereal trills and electrified instrument-like lead work, often doubled and overdubbed with knob-twisting finesse. Crying flute bites come up against nerve beats, claps and paradiddles from the drummer, with whistling harmonies affecting both players.

The concluding “Gros Canard I” and “Gros Canard II” open up the performance to its fullest with wide transverse gusts expanded still further with metallic screams from inside the flute’s body and Joussein vocalizing indistinct wails, yelps and cries simultaneously. During the wrap-up of this usually staccato and prestissimo paced program, Anorak joins his drum beats with a tremolo organ-like drone that associates as well as underlines the narrative. Boolvar has created a distinct form of fusion music that’s progressive not pandering. Perhaps now’s the time for the band to experiment by adding more players.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Vazy 2. Not so Beautiful Planet 3. Hulk at the Beach 4. Gros Canard I 5. Gros Canard II

Personnel: Delphine Joussein (flute, voice and effects) and Sheik Anorak (drums and electronics)