John Butcher/Phil Durrant/Mark Wastell

Replicating Free Music interaction in a live setting, three veteran UK players create a seamless instance of close-knit improvisation which transcend any limitations of instrumentation and programming.

Without hierarchal architecture the 42-minute single track blends the almost continuous sprawl, bent notes and spiraling curlicue vibrations from John Butcher’s soprano and tenor saxophone as Mark Wastell’s rolling patterns, shakes and cymbal clashes from drums and percussion evolve underneath and beside reed textures which are also underlined by the electronics and mandolin twangs from Phil Durrant. Together and separately the three have worked with other sound innovators such as Derek Bailey, Burkhard Beins and Rhodri Davies.

With extended techniques and electronic oscillations adding to the developing sound gestalt, hard pops, aviary flutters and bent note projections come from each of three players. Brief identification only arises during instances of Butcher’s circular breathing, Durrant’s Theremin-like wavers or string frails and Wastell’s proliferation of rolling drum patterns.

Not so much a linear journey from introduction to conclusion, the performance is more a trialogue among evenly matches sound creators that ebbs and flows. Butcher’s gradual toughening of under-the-breath reed textures to growls within the horn’s body tube, intersects with widen spaced blows and bell-ringing from Wastell and Durrant’s proportional mandolin string strums and wave form echoes. Other times the group splits into brief duo consolidation, Reaching a point of near abstract timbres in its penultimate minutes, the three then pivot to broken-chord consolidation. Established the narrative descends into singular string twangs, drum rattles and reed buzzes.

With this exposition, appreciation comes best from not expecting resolution but a tour of decided aleatory tones throughout.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Poznań: Appropriate Density

Personnel: John Butcher (tenor and soprano saxophones); Phil Durrant (electric mandolin and electronics) and Mark Wastell (drums and percussion)