The number on this album is NEWJAIM1 so I guess this this must be the first album of the admirable New Jazz and Improvised Music Recording label setup during the height of the current pandemic giving musicians the creative opportunity to be able to record whilst their live options are severely limited.
The album Calling – Graphic Notation in 3 Parts was recorded in February 2020 live from the Copenhagen Winterjazz Festival just before lockdown began there. The music is improvised using a graphic score developed by Laura Toxværd. Joining the composer are pianist Jacob Anderskov with whom she recorded a duet album some years ago and alto player Maria Faust.
As the title suggests there are 3 parts to the record CA, LL and ING. You don’t need to be capable of completing The Times cryptic crossword to work out that that spells out the album title.
This performance is one of free improvisation and full concentration is required to get the most out of the album but having done this I can assure you it’s well worth the effort. The interplay between the 2 altos is breath-taking. The piano playing is quite minimal as the saxes dominate. However, I assume that where it says ‘preparations’ alongside pianist Anderskov’s name on the liner notes that this accounts for the very effective percussive elements that can be heard throughout the album. The music ebbs and flows from loud and strident to soft and subtle. Every so often one is caught by a particular passage which really resonates.
I always enjoy attending live gigs of this genre of music where you can see the musicians interact with one another. However, although I was only being able to listen to this performance l was still able to detect the wonderful improvisation between the players.
So, not an easy listening album by a
long chalk but well worth the investment if improvised free jazz is your CA, LL, ING.
Steve H
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