Pimprenelle

Continuing her exploration connecting Metal-styled pressure to the improvisational qualities of Free Music is French flautist Delphine Joussein. She’s already given a harder edge to output from drums, harp and flute with the NOUT trio. And she heightens the undertaking by linking her FX-extended instrument with the electric bass and FX of Paris’ Olivia Scemama, who pursues a similar trajectory with electronically toughened creative music.

Overcoming a slow start that conflates electrified drones and traverse gurgles, the two player reach apotheose by “Je me l’anguille de toi” and exert control of the material from then on. Confirming the flute’s airy identity, transverse flutters evolve in contrapuntal connection with the bass’ relentless echoes projected by thumb pops and string flanges. As the thunder-like rumbles vibrate back and forth, repetitive side-blown squeaks and knob-twisting oscillations affiliate with prominent on/off voltage buzzing.

Subsequently, vocalized effects that suggest two separate flute lines further dapple the near-opaque drones so that melody tranches are suggested. The last few tracks are mostly distinguished by the near subtlety exhibited on “Pieds palmés à l’épicentre”. Organ-like pulsations undulate alongside tremolo vibrations so that pitch acceleration and velocity is confirmed, with Scemama’s subtle thumb pops as much part of the multiple textures as Joussein’s shrill peeps. With string shakes and numerous metal-inflected pitches audible, a sense of buoyancy is mixed in with continuous basso drones that join creating the CD’s conclusion.

Still rife for sonic adjustment, Joussein – and Scemama – may not yet have achieved the distinctive Hard Rock-Creative Music mixture. But she – and they – are getting awfully close

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Mon beau canard 2. Reine des marécages (King of the Basement) 3. Je me l’anguille de toi 4. Ma mélodie en sous-sol 5. In the basement Electrochoc 6. Pieds palmés à l’épicentre 7. Des contes souterrains 8. Creuser la carrière de grès 9. Là-haut l’hélicopouik

Personnel: Delphine Joussein (flute and FX) and Olivia Scemama (bass and FX)