Microcanonical Ensemble

Establishing muted improvisation past expected toned down interaction, the Microcanonical Ensemble weaves a collection of small gestures into an intriguing whole that can be followed closely by anyone who doesn’t feel strain and stridency are the only routes to intense music.

In reality a quartet this configuration consists of three Asian and one Occidental player, all of whom are well versed in lower case affiliations. The Japanese players are Wakana Ikeda on harmonica and flute and Yoko Ikeda playing violin and viola da gamba, both of whom have recorded with is Christian Kobi and Taku Sugimoto among others. Meanwhile guitarist Takashi Masubuchi, another countryman, has also recorded with Sugimoto. The non-Nipponese featured is Paris-based, Israeli tenor/soprano saxophonist Tom Soloveitzik who has played with musicians as different as Fumi Endo and Hannes Lingnes.

Extended over three sustained tracks of 20 minutes plus each, dynamics are shaved to the minimum with the development usually restricted to broken chords as the four subtly create melodic and rhythmic transformations. Paced at tempos ranging from larghissimo up to andante, horizontal flow is measured with brief harmonica-flute breaths or saxophone warbles and whistles that intermittently intersect in harmonic counterpoint with squeaky arco stops or guitar twangs. Eventually, as on “Non-Equilibrium I”, rounded guitar licks slowly reveal a melody in counterpoint to the others’ drones.

As the measured expositions are stretched further through strained fiddle glissandi and lean saxophone textures, the sometime combination of contrapuntal guitar strokes and widening reed bites stretch the murky connections to produce shaking aural after images. By the concluding “Non-Equilibrium II” rhythmic ripples and note additions thicken and telescope the isolated timbres. The resultant harmonization includes viola de gamba pressure, flute puffs, reed slides and total guitar chords. This creates dynamic layering that preserves the sound’s purity while resolving sonic ambiguity into linear motion.

A must-to-avoid for those who need bellicosity and briskness in their listening, the Microcanonical Ensemble will intrigue many others.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Non-Equilibrium I*^$ 2. Equilibrium – Snowy+^$ 3. Non-Equilibrium II+!@

Personnel: Wakana Ikeda (harmonica* and flute+); Tom Soloveitzik (tenor^ and soprano! saxophone); Yoko Ikeda (violin$ and viola da gamba@) and Takashi Masubuchi (guitar)