Gordon Grdina/Christian Lillinger

Twelve tracks of rugged and raw pressure, this CD could be the closest to a rock record from a duo who singly have been involved in multiple and diverse projects. Canadian Gordon Grdina, who here plays guitar and midi-guitar, is also an oudist involved in improv sessions with the likes of clarinetist François Houle. German drummer/percussionist Christian Lillinger’s experience stretches from acoustic dates with vibist Christopher Dell to intense electronica with keyboardist Elias Stemeseder.

With the MIDI’s digital interface and numerous idiophone implements involved on Duo Work the two almost always create textures that come from multiple string, keyboard and percussion instruments making it sound like more than two musicians are involved. Sliding organ-like vibrations and a continuous droning undertone from the sound modules, also allow Grdina to sometimes dial twist into guitar hero pyrotechnics or turn twangs and flanges into blurred fingering build up. Meanwhile the percussionist’s constant dynamic changes move up and down the scale from restrained shuffles and palm hand claps to extended drum pummels and pounding resonations.

“Encounters” is the most distinctive and extended variant of this strategy. Stretching synthesized buzzes and wavering mechanized tones from the midi-guitar as an ostinato, Grdina is then free to fragment string stabs into multiphonic splatters played prestissimo. Lillinger’s concentrated ruffs and pops similarly provide a repetitive beat while also breaking up the time sense with paradiddles and pitter-patter pops.

Encompassing enough narratives displacement into melody snippets and linear advancement, Duo Work never falls into the thudding repetition of some jazz rock records. Furthermore, since the group’s mettle is directed more towards modification than metal it avoids turns towards monotony and self-indulgence. But as singular as they are, the sounds on this session will also never be confused with standard mainstream jazz fare.

— By Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Song One 2. Dissolution 3. Impala 4. Bunker 5. Ash 6.  Encounters 7. Pixilated 8. Jalopy 9. Gerhard 10. Big Blue 11. Traverse 12. Song Two

Personnel: Gordon Grdina (guitar and midi-guitar) and Christian Lillinger (drums and percussion)