Hugo Carvalhais

Expanding his concepts and ideas to affiliate with a hand-picked ensemble, Portuguese bassist Hugo Carvalhais has created a 10-part tone poem which camouflages kernels of resilient creativity underneath slow-paced and harmless-sounding tracks. Besides Carvalhais, who has recorded with Dominique Pifarély and also uses electronics here, the band consists of fellow Portuguese alto saxophonist Fábio Almeida, drummer Mário Costa and keyboardist Gabriel Pinto, plus French soprano saxophonist Emile Parisien and Lithuanian tenor saxophonist/ clarinetist Liudas Mockunas.

As the harmonized reed blend gives the tracks a more expansive sound than expected from six players, most are stabilized with tremolo vibrations from organ or synthesizer. But in order to prevent them descending into ennui, drum backbeats, voltage crackles and split tones from one or another of the saxophonists cut through the undulating haze. “Neural Flandres” for instance evolves from an introduction that seems to emanate from a harpsichord to inserted alto sax vibrations, drum hip-hops and bass thumps to shake it up slightly. Sometimes the interface is even subtler as on “Prophetica”, where bubbling beneath mid-range saxophone trills and synthesizer harmonies is the suggestion of an impending textural explosion that never occurs. Carvalhais’ pinpointed string strums and a near-formal piano line provide the backing for double counterpoint between soprano saxophone squeaks and alto saxophone slurs with the resolution more reed quivers than defined grit.

Among sympathetic keyboard comping, tandem saxophone expositions and patterning from bass and drums the penultimate “Amethist shot” stands out. Finally the ecclesiastical organ sweeps and horizontal pacing give way to drum rattles and reed bites which become progressively more menacing as Almeida adds yelping split tones and Pinto slaps out menacing piano emphasis. Finally keyboards and reed impulses meld for a feeling of release.

If all of Ascetica had been as forceful as“Amethist shot” this would have been an exceptional CD. It’s a good representation of what Carvalhais and crew can achieve. But considering the massed talent and the composer’s experience one hoped for more.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Organum 2. Neural Flandres 3. Oratorium 4. Prophetica 5. Penumbra 6. O grande definhador 7. Omnitonalia 8. Arcanorum 9. Amethist shot 10. Mysteria

Personnel: Emile Parisien (soprano saxophone); Fábio Almeida (alto saxophone, flute); Liudas Mockunas (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Gabriel Pinto (piano, organ, synthesizer); Hugo Carvalhais (bass, electronics) and Mário Costa (drums)