Luís Vicente 4tet

Putting their own spin on now-classic Free Jazz with an equally classic creative music configuration is the quartet of Portuguese trumpeter Luís Vicente. Vincente, who has worked with numerous international stylists, created two extended instant composition on which all four band members can flaunt their mastery of the idiom. Besides the trumpeter, the group consists of two Americans – tenor saxophonist John Dikeman and bassist Luke Stewart – and Dutch drummer Govaert, all of whom have extensive improv experience.

Moving from harmonized drones and note extensions, the extreme length of the tracks means that each player contributes as soloist and accompanist. For example Goevart’s roistering ruffs, ratamacues and cymbal whistles arise as often in broken-chord cooperation with the saxophonist’s harsh overblowing or the trumpeter’s portamento triplets as they steady the rhythm. Additionally, while Stewart’s thick string strokes are upfront enough for a steady pulse, he has enough room to color the polyphonic landscape with sul ponticello slides or measured woody strokes. Vicente and Dikeman complement and challenge each other equally. Notes are frequently bent and stretched in this strategy as when the trumpeter’s airy flutters evolve alongside nephritic reed textures, or when saxophone multiphonics are interrupted by aviary brass flutters.

“Luísa’s Laugh + House In The Valley” accelerates from a superfast exposition to expressions of extended techniques from both horns that shred the narrative into stridency with a taffy pull of unexpected half-valve trumpet growls and whimpering reed split tones. That is until a mid-sequence climax leads to tone interlocking and unison chord development. Bugling rips from Vicente and altissimo bites from Dikeman create a cul de sac, underlined by bass drum ruffs. The impasse is resolved as the quartet reaches the end of this 42-minute sequence by attaining near-mainstream harmonies at the same time as reed stutters and brass smears preserve the free jazz motifs. Now a style that’s as common and accepted as Bop or Swing, Vicente’s quartet members show how Free Jazz can be played in an exciting fashion without ignoring the music’s earlier evolution.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Anahata + Little Dance 2 . Luísa’s Laugh + House In The Valley

Personnel: Luís Vicente (trumpet); John Dikeman (tenor saxophone); Luke Stewart (bass) and Onno Govaert. (drums)