Peter Van Huffel’s Callisto

With tandem harmonies comparable to those of the classic Gerry Mulligan quartet, baritone saxophonist Peter Van Huffel from Kingston, Ont. and Toronto trumpeter Lina Allemano do more than put a contemporary spin on these seven Berlin-recorded tracks. Their polyphonic counterpoint includes spiky and smeared timbres, fragmented and stretched by the electronics used by Van Huffel and pianist Antonis Anissegos, yet with the expositions steadied by drummer Joe Hertenstein’s concentrated rumbles.

Alongside horizontal narratives, massive space remains for all four to personalize the expositions with raging triplets and half-valve growls from Allemano, bitten-off snarls, thickened overblowing and basement slurs from Van Huffel and just enough keyboard clips, stops and voltage-altered textures to overcome the expected. On Ravenous Hound for instance a concluding lockstep horn march is emphasized only after an impressive display of drum patterning and key clicks. With Interdimensional Planet Hopper the jokey veracity of the title is established as multidirectional tempos and pitches billow. Electronics expand and contract motifs created by raunchy reed vamps, strained brass bugling, celeste-resembling tapping from Anissegos and Hertenstein’s thickened ruffs and ratchets until all return to earth with a four-part unison finale.

Although throughout quartet members can create raunchy narratives seemingly without stopping for breath, thematic control is always evident. While some sounds expressed suggest the fun pinpointed in the disc’s concluding track title  – Barrel of Monkeys – it’s clear that these musical devils can also meander into the music of angels.

— Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Meandering Demons 2. Ravenous Hound 3. Glass Sanctuary 4. Interdimensional Planet Hopper 5. Rude Awakening 6. Transient Being 7. Barrel of Monkeys

Personnel: Lina Allemano (trumpet); Peter Van Huffel (baritone saxophone and electronics); Antonis Anissegos (piano, electronics) and Joe Hertenstein (drums)

–for The Whole Note October/November 2024