ErbMäderAmBerg? + Lehn

Although there’s safety in numbers, it’s not very likely that the three Swiss bass clarinetists had to gang up to face German synthesizer player Thomas Lehn during the fascinating timbral mix featured on In echoes shadow. Lehn, who has recorded with everyone from Urs Leimgruber to Ken Vandermark, uses his analogue synthesizer’s architecture to create a collection of paced burbles, strident pitches, mechanized rumbles and static drones that don’t accompany but actually evolve alongside the textural affiliations and tone-splintering of bass clarinetists Christoph Erb, Elio Amberg and Niklaus Mäder. Singly or together they’ve played with the likes of Gerry Hemingway and Magda Mayas and many others.

During one extended and three shorter tracks recorded a year apart, the quartet sets up a paradigm where the programmed smashes and shakes are met by both concentrated and singular reed strategies. At points bellicose machine rattles intersect with the reeds as each expresses a unique tone defined by clarion peeps, eviscerated flattement or chalumeau snorts. Other times two clarinet timbres affiliate for ascending slurs while the third challenges synthesizer output with resolute split tones or concentrated mouthpiece buzzes. To avoid immoderation, sequences dedicated to notes or textures piling share space with carefully positioned silent interludes.

The group performance is defined by more than speedy high-pitched split tones and lowing scoops mixed with raucous synth textures however. “When Shadows Walk” is developed as a slow-moving narrative with one clarinet low-pitched, one clarion and one emphasizing barely there breaths. As synthesizer motifs crackle and crumble, clarinet spetrofluctuation and slap tones are put aside for a concentrated reed outburst.

This disc proves one again that musicians using any combination of instruments can create timbral connections that are as imaginative as they are ingenious.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1.  Echoes Of The Same 2. When Shadows Don’t Follow 3. When Shadows Walk 4. When Shadows Dance 5. When Shadows Dream

Personnel: Christoph Erb, Elio Amberg and Niklaus Mäder (bass clarinets) and Thomas Lehn (analogue synthesizer)