Mira Trio

Good things come to those who wait as the saying goes and this certainly applies to the Portuguese cellist Miguel Mira. After years working with fellow sound innovators such as Rodrigo Amado, he’s put out his first disc as leader. Leader but not boss, however for this trio consists of other strong in-sync improvisers. Brazilian tenor/soprano saxophonist Yedo Gibson, long a European resident, has recoded with the likes of Susana Santos Silva and Vasco Trilla, while Italian drummer Felice Furioso works with Maria do Mar and João Madeira among others.

Just as the trio members represent different countries so Machinerie’s two extended tracks are as  dissimilar as dark and light. The title track is dedicated to corybantic, maximalist exploration with heightened interactive extended techniques. While not really minimalist “Pedreira” slips along with reflective and restrained group patterning, but never so enervative that banked passion isn’t present.

Prodded by string scouring and percussion shakes, “Machinerie” accelerates as the saxophonist adds stuttering growls and reed bites. As cello string strops and drum vibrations multiply Gibson builds his output with burbling squeaks, swerving broken notes and altissimo squeals. Shortly before the mid-point, following a conveyer belt of s a capella corrosive string rubs that become more tension ridden as they advance, drum paradiddles and reed huffs lessen the stress to reveal rhythmic patterns underneath. That interlude is momentary though, as droning reed spetrofluctuation and multiphonic snorts join machine-gun-fire-like drum pops and propulsive string scouring to reintroduce taut patterns until a penultimate decisive Free Jazz climax. Speedy string pops, rolling saxophone clucks and a final drum smack preserve power as the theme dissolves.

Even lengthier but not lacking a cadenced undertow “Pedreira” moves at a measured pace, constructed from reed warbles and tongue stops, string strums and wetted fingers slid across drum tops. Mobile extensions and percussive reverb from all play up the aggressive and ambulatory nature of the piece. Eventually saxophone key percussion and scrapes on strings and Mylar from the other two define the evolving motifs that reflect upon themselves as they open up subtler refraction. While textures and dynamics change, isolated sul ponticello string rubs and nephritic reed gurgling preserve a buzzing Blues feeling as the rugged yet symmetrical narrative reaches its end.

Worth waiting for, Machinerie shows off the group its best advantage. But considering the sessions took place between 2022-2023 where is new music from the three?

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Machinerie 2. Pedreira

Personnel: Yedo Gibson (tenor and soprano saxophones); Miguel Mira (cello) and Felice Furioso (drums)