Wave Benders

Putting to good use his grant for creative individuals from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Minneapolis, last year percussionist Steve Hirsh organized this unconventional session with two long-time New York area associates, baritone saxophonist Dave Sewelson and guitarist/bassist Matt Hollenberg as the Remergency trio. Known for his work with multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter, bassist William Parker and other timbre magnifiers, Hirsh’s exposition partners in Wave Benders are other players who regularly slide through varieties of improvised music that encompasses free jazz, avant rock and other perhaps yet unclassified genres.

Electric guitar and sometime electric bassist Matt Hollenberg has been part of John Zorn’s progressive metal discs as well as a member of rock-oriented bands like Tachyons and Cleric. More often found on the jazz side of the equation, baritone saxophonist Dave Sewelson has been involved in a long-time low-pitch group with bassist Dave Hofstra, as well as playing with everyone from trombonist Steve Swell to guitarist Ava Mendoza.

Bringing more than basement tones to Wave Benders’ four extended tracks Sewelson amplifies his expected honks, slides and smears respiration from what he calls the “psychedelic electric blues harmonica” whose otherworldly tones fit perfectly with Hollenberg’s pyrotechnical, ringing chords and elevated drones as well as the steady pulse from Hirsh’s backbeats and ruffs.

The bellicose attacks of the session first three tracks, especially on the extended “Pumpkins”, where wah-wah effects and ascending metallic flanges almost put the piece into guitar hero territory, is nicely offset by the near acoustic interaction on the title track. There a combination of intermittent drum ruffs, finger-patting string slaps and basement level horn snarls suggest yet another unique sound mutation.

Taking into account the unexpected sonic twists and turns that brighten the improvisations here add up to yet another reason why Wave Benders calls for listeners’ serious investigation.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. B’Looga B’Looze 2. Get in the Car 3. Pumpkins 4. Wave Benders

Personnel: Dave Sewelson (baritone saxophone and psychedelic electric Blues harmonica); Matt Hollenberg (guitar) and Steve Hirsh (drums)