Flöjter

Paris Blow. That’s because the transverse equivalent to tough tenor turbulence is expressed by the Flöjter duo. Of course the idea of pushing fluting furrowing to its limits isn’t new and French flutist Delphine Joussein and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mats Gustafsson have individually been experimenting with expanding instruments timbral limits for years. Joussein is also part of the electrified NOUT trio as well as sessions with Sheik Anorak and Olivia Scemama, while Gustafsson’s flute and multiple saxophone improvising have been expressed in the company of everyone from Joe McPhee to Sten Sandell. Nor do the two let their amplified and horizontal layers of nickel and silver vibrate singularly. Joussein adds electronics to her flute flights, while Gustafsson multiplies his among flute, slide flute, spilåpipa, harmonica, live electronics and organ.

Lighter fripple flute and harmonica breaths are actually secondary on most of the four tracks dedicated to contrasting, collecting and connecting tones from the oral instruments in as many permutations as possible. That means that transverse timbres are projected with screams, bites, squeaks and bellows, puffed out and vocalized through the hollow tube. Many are overlaid or tinged with processed organ whizzes and hisses. And at points transverse yelps are amplified to the point that they resemble lead guitar flanges.

Among the rugged and metallic shrills and whistles, hard blowing sometimes fragments enough so that brief lilting interludes are heard especially on “Solid silver tube” and “Flutes. Still breathing”. However these relaxed asides are subsumed by widening wave form whizzes, spit-out phrasing and percussion-like tongue slaps. The usual conclusion is a doubled or singular electronic flute squall.
onfirming their comfort in crisscross improvising at pitches ranging from dog-whistle-like shrieks to moderated continuous flutters, Joussein and Gustafsson also lose their way as tempos soar from purring adagio to emphasized prestissimo. Making use of transverse strains and concentration and ingeniously incorporating electronically projected fizz, the Flöjter duo has created a novel definition of flute interaction which will likely excite more receptive listers than those traditionalists it can provoke or repel.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Souffler sur les braises 2. Solid silver tube 3. Projected. Stream of mind 4. Flutes. Still breathing.
Personnel: Mats Gustafsson (flute, slide flute, spilåpipa, harmonica, live electronics and organ) and Delphine Joussein (flute and electronics)