Lucio Capece/Axel Dörner/Robin Hayward - Kammerlärm

Azul Discografica
AZD05

Dörner (trumpet) had recently released duo albums with both Capece (soprano saxophone, bass clarinet) and Hayward (tuba) so “Kammerlärm” comes as a natural enough progression. Electronics are once again eschewed allowing us to deal with a purely acoustic wind trio and the results are hard-won and invigorating. The music is “more difficult” than the duo recordings, I found, grainier, more tenuous as a result of being stretched more broadly, taking several listens to accommodate itself. There’s wit to be found, even so. Part of the first track has one of the fellows imitating bongos by manipulating keys or valves while someone else does some rhythmic breathing that resembles soft tambourine accents. At least that’s what I heard and it had me chuckling.

The second piece, the longest at 23 minutes, attenuates matters to an even greater extent, the plosives, shudders and burrs wafting about like steam from engines idling on a frigid evening. It may evaporate a bit toward the end, but a lovely scene has been presented. The third subtly fills in the spaces, just barely encroaching on territory that might be considered “rich”. Only tinges of caloric content though, and those tinges are delightful, writhing tendrils of flavor that scurry out and retreat. It’s a lovely bit of music and one of the most enjoyable examples of acoustic improv I’ve heard in quite a while. Well worth a listen, as is the entire album.

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