Label: Clearspot Format: CD,LP
This ‘trio’ are in fact a sextet, including the brothers Marcus and Micha Acher who enjoy playing with the conventions of jazz and introducing dub and electronics alongside improvisation. The first track, “United World Elevator”, is a good example, starting in a fairly minimalist style with sparse keyboard and drums, human, electronic or both. It suddenly takes on another dimension as the tenor saxophonist, Ulrich Wangenheim, asserts himself. His improvisations are impassioned and contribute a human voice as the electronic interference of Andreas Gerth infiltrates the mix.
The rest of the music seems closely focussed on the strong drum and bass with washes of sound spread over this foundation, as in “Tusovska Dub Version”. Here a simple but powerful bass riff drives through the scattering of electronics while the percussion is placed high in the mix. No sax on that one, but Wangenheim features again on “Van Brunt/Van Ness”. His playing is controlled but passionate and on this track the mixing of the electronics and the power of human breath combine best with the storm of bass and drums. It is perhaps the most effective demonstration of the forces at work in this group and if at times it seems like a power struggle is going on the sides are equally matched. The result, for this listener, is exhilarating and involving.
It is on the first section of the final track, “Konstantinopel”, that they sound most ‘natural’ in the trio form as Wangenheim powers with the authority of a Coltrane over the drums and supple bass. Then the electronics and delays of Gerth kick in for a while before the tenor man re-asserts himself. This was actually one ‘live’ track salvaged from a gig that went wrong and perhaps that’s why it has a slightly different feel to it. Whatever, it is an intriguing statement from a well-integrated group that has forged an identifiable sound from disparate elements. I look forward to hearing more.
-Paul Donnelly-
