VHF - Statics

l’Innomable
06

Hot on the heels of their 1999 release on Erstwhile, ‘Extracts’, comes this 2001 session from Vincent, Halliwell and Fell. Whereas the earlier album appeared way back in those olden times when eai discs were relatively few and far between and thus, at least for this listener, had a strong impact with regard to exceptionally quiet interplay, “Statics” has to contend with the subsequent 8 million or so albums in the genre issued in the meantime. Happily, it does so rather well, evincing a good amount of progression and exploration outside of the territory already established as well as holding up as simply enjoyable music.

Four pieces, each prefixed with a letter from the musicians’ given names and a number, leading me to assume that the denoted individual was more or less responsible for the piece’s general drift. “S-9” is a fine steady-state improv, Fell’s arco laying the groundwork, along with a held background hum, for soft brushings and scrapings from Vincent (as well as some fluttering electronics) and delicate, high tones from Halliwell. It’s a nice example of an improvisation that holds to a certain area and works it carefully and profitably for a reasonable length of time, here about 15 minutes. While the opening track fits is fairly well with the musical context elaborated on “Extracts”, “G-15” emerges as an abrupt and overt change of direction, leaping out with a kaleidoscopic display of electronics that reminded me of a softer-edged take on Xenakis’ “Bohor”. The cut is quite overt and rambunctious, Fell and Halliwell engaging in some spirited, sputtering interplay, before the electronics spiral down into some scattered drips and the piece gently expires. “S-12” returns us to Fell’s wonderful deep bowing, contrasting it with higher, harsher work from his companions; again, the general tenor is more up-front, more assertive than in the earlier album though, as in the previous track, the arc of the piece is from louder to softer. My personal favorite from this session is the final piece, “V-12”, though it’s arguably the simplest in structure. Vincent rattles some plastic-sounding items, Halliwell elicits breathy/whistly sounds from his alto and Fell scribbles distantly in the mix. You feel like you’ve just entered a large room with three people working in isolation though perhaps to some larger eventual purpose, apart but, in time, to be connected which in fact occurs as the work unfolds. Very natural, very of the moment.

“Statics” is a good, solid recording, one I’d wish had been able to see the light of day 4-5 years ago and one well worth checking out.

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