Dog Plug

Part of the evolving creative music scene in the Mashriq, members of the Dog Plug trio not only cunningly bend electronic oscillations to unexpected thresholds, but also vibrate acoustic instruments to such a way to almost negate  their familiar timbres. Lebanese trumpeter in Berlin, Mazen Kerbaj is known for brass transfigurations. His adds-ons and reconfiguration of his trumpet have been tested with players like Sharif Sehnaoui and Axel Dörner. Lebanese bass guitarist Tony Elieh, besides being in local post-rock groups has recorded with Burkhard Beins. Meanwhile Egyptian keyboardist Maurice Louca has worked with Sam Shalabi and Maryam Saleh.

From the first the crackling fizz and electronic thumps share equal space with acoustic instruments. But tonal ambiguity is negated due to the he bassist’s durable pulsations. Vibrating static and undulating oscillations are also pierced by Kerbaj’s elevated vale-less squeaks and shaking plunger motions. But like the other so-called acoustic motifs they’re quickly enveloped by the fluctuating electronic timbres.

More likely to overcome the often unchanging programmed patterns are timbres that resemble rocket launching, motor starting rumbles and voltage drones. During a track like “As Far as Your Eye” Louca’s keyboard pressure moves from electronic chiming and quivering to wider vibrations that encompass near pipe-organ sustain. Similarly at points the mechanized buzz makes space for incessant percussion-like thumps and the squeak of a bow being ratcheted across strings.

Climatically the trio members’ strategy is at its most significant on “Shammel Hawa” and “Hair of the Dog”. On the first  the bass pulse shares space with hints of programmed faux-Arabic music as trumpet grace notes give way to tongue slaps and tough bows that are snarky and sniffing. Before group flanges dissolve the interface, undulating keyboard tones and portamento brass tones are heard. “Hair of the Dog” is accelerated and gets progressively louder with more synthesized Mashriq-like refrains and pseudo infant cries sharing space with dual pulsations from the keyboard and bass guitar. After trumpet wah wahs and huffs intersect with ringing keyboard echoes, reflection voltage vibrations and static meet descending aviary squeaks.

Musicians in that part of the world may have to negotiate the results of wars propagated by Iran-proxy militias, but as this disc confirms that they can still create singular creative music.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Dog: 1. Dakkerha دكّرها. 2. Da’eri ئري 3. Shammel Hawa 4. Hair of the Dog 5. Turning in its Ground 6. As Far as Your Eye

Personnel: Dog: Mazen Kerbaj (trumpet, crackle synth, toys and electronics); Maurice Louca (keyboard and electronics) and Tony Elieh (bass guitar and electronics)