Great Sakata Quintet

Although it should be obvious by this late date, the universality of creative music is demonstrated once again on this Leipzig live set by five musicians from four countries. One of the pioneers of Japanese Free Jazz, Akira Sakata plays alto saxophone, clarinet, bells and contributes some characteristically fierce vocalizing. Two bassists, the UK’s John Edwards and Italian Antonio Borghini provide a steady if unconventional pulse, while Germans, percussionist Christian Lillinger and their host, pianist Oliver Schwerdt, create unexpected textures. All have extensive experience on the international creative music scene.

Despite the nearly 43-minute single improv beginning with measured piano dynamics and chunky bass string pumps, the exposition soon triples in speed and efficacy as intensity is expressed with screeching clarinet glissandi, doits and circular reed flutters. Double bass patterns buzz, drums raps and claps, cymbal clangs and keyboard forward motion cascade into speedy and more complex chording along the way. Adding expressive bell ringing to the exposition, by the time Sakata introduces saxophone squeaks and flattement, Schwerdt’s waterfall of responsive piano notes also turns to a stealthy pattern which introduces the reedist’s distinctive vocalizing. Sounding to western ears like a Samuri war cry, the mumbles and growls reach a zenith of bellicose near-retching  backed by double bass power pumps, clunking ruffs from Lillinger and speedy piano soundboard echoes. What appears to be a pivot to a near-militaristic theme is sounded and quickly disregarded as reed tongue stops and altissimo screeches assert individuality along with interjections from small percussion instruments. A dog-whistle-like reed scream marks the climax as Sakata then narrows his notes to needle-like thinness and stutters while thick drum rumbles and measured piano comping ease the way to a group growling finale.

It’s not often that a CD’s title perfectly defines the sounds inside. But a better illustration of a Free Jazz tornado than this session couldn’t be imagined.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Tornado!

Personnel: Akira Sakata (alto saxophone, clarinet, voice, little bells);  Oliver Schwerdt (piano, percussion, little instruments); John Eckhardt and Antonio Borghini (bass); Christian Lillinger (drums, cymbals, percussion)