Hearts & Minds

Meinild/Anderskov/Tom
Spectral Entanglements
Barefoot Records BFREC 81 CD

At this point there isn’t any novelty in recording a keyboard/drums/reed trio without a bassist – Benny Goodman fits did so back in the 1930s – but the way the two groups here make up for the presumed missing textures is instructive. The all-Danish trio on Spectral Entanglements for instance balances on the drumming of Kasper Tom and the piano and preparations of Jacob Anderskov intersected with the reed work of Sven Dam Meinild. All have played with other international improvisers like Tomasz Dąbrowski and Maria Faust. An on-and-off working group, the all-American Hearts & Minds depends singularly on the bass clarinet of Jason Stein and Chad Taylor’s drums, but affiliated sound colors arise from Paul Giallorenzo’s synthesizers and electric piano. Each H&M member has established himself in groups featuring Angelica Sanchez, Joshua Abrams and many others.

Tom’s percussion versatility on Illuminescence means that he can create steel-drum-like  pings or light pitter patter with the same ease he bring to chunky backbeats. Anderskov too varies his moderated almost harp-like strokes with thicker keyboard pressure and add-ons, though his expositions usually preserve the melodies. As for Meinild, liquid clarinet peeps and horizontal flutter tones from each of his horns shares space with more intense saxophone improvising that highlights split tones, unexpected tongue stops, growls and whines.

Throughout Illuminescence the musical parts fit together comfortably to expose the maximum range of tinctures and tempos, yet the most notable tracks are those like the introductory “Thistle Root” and the concluding “Zostera Marina”. During their evolution a certain time suspension and pressure is highlighted as the three players extend contrapuntal reciprocity with maximum intensity.

Sonic intensity also figures into the tracks on the other CD as well as a suppleness brought on by the mating of electrified keyboard tinctures and the pitch variations expressed by the bass clarinet. Taylor contribution isn’t downplayed however. In fact, “Can’t/Won’t”, the CD’s longest track and “Turbulence” confirm the sophistication of his beats. The first is a subdued rhythmic piece bult on the drummer’s swift ratamacues and relentless ruffs that eventually harmonize so Stein’s snarly clarion flutters and Giallorenzo’s sparking keyboard runs join for a measured, stop time theme. A thickened funk turn, “Turbulence” is borne on squirming organ-like tremolo throbs from Giallorenzo, split tones and tongue stops from Stein and Taylor’s rattling paradiddles. By the conclusion a satisfying return to the head follows masterful theme variations from each player.

Stein’s tough chalumeau register vibrations can also inflate to altissimo with doits that evolve in broken chords with the keyboardist’s kaleidoscopic judders. They too can be tough or in the case of a track like “Imaging”, be expressive with almost smooth, tinkling lyricism. Elsewhere as on “Burnt In”, low-pitched processed gurgles and thumps make common cause with drum pressure and the clarinetist’s note-bending spills, squeaks and slithers. Electrified throughout, the wave form colors from Giallorenzo though confirm horizontal progression no matter how many split tones, drum pops or even emphasized keyboard slides are in the exposition.

While bass players may rightly complain about lost gigs, it’s a base-less worry. Each trio here has created a compelling program on its own.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Illuminescence: 1. Counterpoint 2. Particle Field 3. Horizon 4. Imaging 5. Turbulence 6. Can’t/Won’t 7. On Kilter 8. Burnt In 9. Iridescent 10. Illumination

Personnel: Illuminescence: Jason Stein (bass clarinet); Paul Giallorenzo (synthesizers and electric piano) and Chad Taylor (drums and percussion)

Track Listing: Spectral: 1. Thistle Root 2. Marbling  3. Response-Ability  5. Vortex Street  6. Zostera Marina

Personnel: Spectral: Sven Dam Meinild (alto saxophone, clarinet and flute); Jacob Anderskov (piano and prepared piano) and Kasper Tom (drums)