Label: Rune Grammofone, 2021
Personnel - Mats Gustafsson: baritone saxophone, flute, electronics; Johan Berthling: electric bass; Andreas Werliin: drums; Mats Äleklint: trombone, sousaphone; Goran Kafjes: quartertone trumpet.
Fire! - the core trio of multi-reedist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Johan Berthling, and drummer Andreas Werliin - has been constantly evolving with different configurations, crashing their way through seven magnificent releases, the latest of which, offers 36 minutes of pure sonic wonders. The trio is augmented on three of the five compositions that comprise Defeat, with Gustafsson joining forces with two invaluable frontline partners, the trombonist/arranger Mats Äleklint and the trumpeter Goran Kafjes. This sterling work shows the group exploring captivating tonal contrasts and adrenaline-boosting dynamics.
The opening piece, “A Random Belt Rats You Out” gets going with a bass groove in 11, steadfast drumming and an insurgent flute jaunt delivered with lyrical frenzy. Hard on the heels of this first step, the trio of horns - baritone, trombone and quartertone trumpet - communicates ecstasy and freedom with a far-reaching sense of proportion. Their powerful sound also comes to our attention on the Part 1 of “Each Millimeter of the Toad”, where they fill the spaces left by the gruff and growling baritone in the lead. By contrast, the Part 2 of this same piece luxuriates in electronics, fat bass lines and a charming brushed beat with flute atop.
On the dolefully trippy “Defeat”, Werliin creates an alluring percussive layout that elicits sounds from foreign places. Even so, the group remains in a processional stroll with the three horn players stubbornly attached in plaintive consonance.
Gustafsson’s effusive flute playing - what a whirling dervish abandoned to spontaneous creativity - is expressed once again on the closer “Alien (To My Feet)”, but before doing so, he brings the profound, meaty tones of his baritone to a slow-burning precursory stage.
The temperature rises whenever this little gem of a record is spinning; and I kept it spinning because this is the kind of energy and symbiotic musical alliance that I always look for in a free jazz record. Thus, I’m completely drawn to Fire!’s spectacular forwarding-pushing jazz.
Grade A+
Favorite Tracks:
01 - A Random Belt Rats You Out ► 03 - Each Millimeter of the Toad, Part 2 ► 04 - Defeat