Record Reviews

PASCAL NIGGENKEMPER / LE 7EME CONTINENT ~ TALKING TRASH CLEAN FEED 373 (Barcode: 5609063003734) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2014 - 2016 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by the ensemble Le 7eme ContinentFind albums by this artist, led by German-French resident in NY bassist / composer Pascal NiggenkemperFind albums by this artist. The ensemble also called sextet, double trio and triple duo includes two pianists: Eve RisserFind albums by this artist and Philip ZoubekFind albums by this artist (who both play prepared piano), two clarinetists: Joris RuhlFind albums by this artist and Joachim BadenhorstFind albums by this artist and Spanish flautist Julian ElviraFind albums by this artist who plays the pronomos flute he invented and the sub-contrabass flute. Bassist Constantin HerzogFind albums by this artist guests on one track. Together the ensemble plays nine original compositions, all by Niggenkemper. The music is a wonderfully weird extreme Avant Garde amalgamation of sounds that seem completely random at first, but start making sense soon enough, after attentive listening. The individual instruments do not produce any "normal" notes one might expect to hear from them, but rather generate an ambient wall of sound with small variations and monotonic almost motionless ambience. There is little development within each of the "tunes" and even within the entire album, as the sound changes with an excruciatingly slow rate, requiring the listener to enter a meditative state of sorts in order to submit to the music. There is no intellectual analyzing needed here, just complete Zen like acquiescence. The only piece on the album, which comes remotely close to what most people consider as music is the title track, where finally one may hear the piano, flute and clarinet producing almost "normal" notes in a group improvisation environment. One must admit that this music would be probably deemed completely unlistenable by the vast majority of the inhabitants of this planet, but sadly the same applies to most of Avant Garde art at any given moment in the human history. Thank God some people have the courage to think differently and disregard the norms, in their quest for the unknown, like the musicians involved in the making of this music. The aesthetics involved might be shocking or even repulsive to some, but highly inspiring to others and only time can tell if this music had any significant impact on the development of the music Art Form. I invite the open minded and courageous music lovers to embrace this music, even if it does not offer the instantaneous satisfaction we are all conditioned to expect from everything around us. There are treasures to be discovered here, even if it takes time and effort. No instant gratification is to be found herein, but once we are able to penetrate the seemingly uninviting exterior, the essence makes perfect sense even without melody, harmony or steady rhythm. Although Niggenkemper lives in NY, the team assembled here is all European and it seems that the audience for this kind of music is also mostly European based. I wonder why he decided to move to the US; surely not for musical openness.

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 09/07/2016

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GEBHARD ULLMANN / BASEMENT RESEARCH ~ HAT AND SHOES BETWEEN THE LINES 71238 (Barcode: 608917123821) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is an album by German saxophonist / bass clarinetist / composer Gebhard UllmannFind albums by this artist and his international Basement ResearchFind albums by this artist quintet, which also includes American trombonist Steve SwellFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist (playing baritone saxophone here), German / French bassist Pascal NiggenkemperFind albums by this artist and American drummer Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions by the leader, recorded by the legendary sound engineer Walter QuintusFind albums by this artist. The music is a classic European Free Jazz recording, based on composed themes but offering a lot of open space and freedom of individual improvisation, overall pretty well “organized” / “well behaved”, which manages to eschew total havoc and chaos. The quintet plays admirably well together, producing coherent statements and ever-changing fabric of difficult, but exciting music. Although two-thirds of the quintet are American musicians, this music is obviously way more European in nature and sound, perhaps somewhat more tamed than American Free Jazz, but definitely way more effective. All the members of the quintet are of course seasoned and well-known musicians within the Free Jazz scene, with impressive recorded legacy behind them. As a result, the individual statements included herein are all truly inspired. Personally I am most impressed by the ensemble sound, which sounds really impressive and brilliantly lucid, obviously emphasized by the splendid sound quality of the album. Overall, this is an excellent example of the European Free jazz, which offers exciting ensemble playing and virtuosic individual statements, which all come together in a precise, listenable way. This music obviously requires effort and open-mindedness to be enjoyed, but is definitely highly rewarding and as such recommended!

Updated: 16/04/2022Posted: 16/04/2022

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MARTIN URBACH ~ FREE WILL NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 700261254609) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 1st album by US drummer / composer Martin UrbachFind albums by this artist, who was born in Bolivia and moved to the US at the age of 18, settling in New Orleans. Following the tragic events in New Orleans as the result of the devastating Hurricane Katrina hitting the town, he relocated to NY State. This album features a quintet with Urbach on drums, Scott BourgeoisFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Brian SeegerFind albums by this artist on guitars, Tim CollinsFind albums by this artist on vibraphone and Pascal NiggenkemperFind albums by this artist on bass, playing nine original compositions by Urbach. The music is high-spirited, with well developed melodies and excellent performances by all musicians. Nothing overtly experimental, just good, straight-forward Jazz, well played and full of ideas and great melodies, something every Jazz lover should enjoy. This is the kind of music one can easily return to time after time, enjoying it repeatedly. Since the vibraphone is rarely used these days, I especially enjoyed hearing that wonderful instrument back in action. Recommended!

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