Label: Intakt Records, 2023
Personnel - Ingrid Laubrock: tenor and soprano saxophone; Jon Irabagon: sopranino saxophone; Zeena Parkins: electric harp; Tom Rainey: drums.
Always at the vanguard of musical creation, the trailblazing saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Ingrid Laubrock embarked on yet another successful experiment, resulting in a singular piece lasting nearly 40 minutes. This thought-provoking new chapter is inherently devoted to improvisation but incorporates pre-recorded tape pieces (monochromes) that assist in shaping off-kilter backdrops to be explored by her assembled quartet, comprising the adventurous saxophonist Jon Irabagon, avant-garde harpist Zeena Parkins, and longtime collaborator and drummer Tom Rainey.
Intending to reflect the turbulent era we are currently experiencing, Laubrock commenced the recordings in early 2020. Her composed parts included both conventional and graphical notation, supplemented with textual instructions sent to each selected musician. The four tape pieces, in order of appearance, feature 29 trumpet lines by Nate Wooley inspired by Ligeti’s dense orchestral piece, Atmosphéres, accordions by Adam Matlock, multi-temporal layers of percussion by Rainey, and a collaborative saxophone duet by Laubrock and JD Allen based on Italian-American artist Harry Bertoia’s Sonambient Sculptures.
Long, sustained notes emerge from Wooley’s trumpet, forming a massive chord whose intriguing tonality conveys a sense of acuteness and discomfort. Drum timbres resonate from the depths and cymbal sparks punctuate with some light, awaiting a bountiful feast of unbeatable high-pitched clamors provided by the saxophonists. Laubrock keeps her saxophone contorting with exquisite cyclic patterns and nimble provocations.
The rusty, grinding sounds created by Parkins’ electric harp attain colossal proportions and can be likened to a motorized saw. Atop this, in contrast with the atmosphere, there are air blows, whistles, and speedy tenor whirls. The group adds and removes tension, playing with different levels of intensity. Some abrupt changes take us to a spasmodic harmonic comping whose eerily dreamy feel is complemented by vigorous percussion. At this point, we recognize we are hearing the third tape. The tenor is ablaze, contributing to a giant rollercoaster that doesn’t give a hint of where it will stop. Following the storm, one can imagine being taken to the deep calm of a strange, distant planet, in a reflective last section where hope and healing prevail.
Laubrock’s prowess as a composer and improviser is expressed throughout, with the quirky textures offering a unique experience compared to what is typically encountered in avant-garde realms. As per the leader’s advice, this record should be listened to in one sitting, at a high volume in a stereo. One more to be dug up further with subsequent listens.
