Will-o’-the-wisp

Somewhat of a departure for Essen-based Florian Walter is Will-o’-the-wisp. That’s because he’s  usually involved with down to earth European creative music in an urban setting with small groups or the Dorf large ensemble. Instead Will-the disc is a collaboration with the alto saxophonist and two Japanese improvisers, Tamayura Kurage’s percussion and electronics and biwa-playing Tamayura Hitode. All eight selections were recorded in a cabin in the woods located in Saitama prefecture, and each is named for different yūrei or ghosts, whose interaction with the living is evoked by the dynamic mix of contemporary and traditional sound textures plus Hitode’s impassioned and sometimes over-the-top vocalizing.

An illustrative  instance of this variant of Nōh theatre meets new Free Jazz is “Hitodama”. Percussion clanks, a chuga-chuga electronic drone and a thin reed squeal precede an exposition of retching, yowling and gurgling vocal screams that reach falsetto yelps in tandem with altissimo reed screeches. The four unstoppable overlapping clamors heard are replicated often throughout the disc.

Sometimes, as on the subsequent “Oni-bi” and “Kaika”, emphasis is on Kurage when his bolo-bat-like smacks, taiko drum-like patterning and metallic abrasions set the scene for vocals that combine chilling witch-like cackles with yearning operatic lyricism, and are emphasized or interrupted by reed overblowing or multiphonics. Other times as on “Kosemjō”  the saxophone is featured. Here open-horn blowing, tongue slaps and shrill squeaks create a unique partnership with the banjo-like twangs and rhythmic strokes from Hitode’s Chinese lute, with the exposition further propelled by verbal squeals and yells.

Profound tripartite interaction throughout, Will-o’-the-wisp may be an anomaly in Walter’s discography, but it’s certainly an individual and fascinating listen.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Chōchin-ni 2. Kosemjō 3. Sōgen-bi 4. Kitsune-bi 5. Hitodama 6. Oni-bi 7. Kaika 8. Tanuki-bi

Personnel: Florian Walter (alto saxophone); Tamayura Hitode (voice and  biwa) and  Tamayura Kurage (percussion and electronics)