Machinegun "Three Wisemen in a Straightjacket" and "Free
Improvisations" + Parsec3 CD's, Releases reviewed by
Vitalweekly:
MACHINEGUN - THREE WISE MEN IN A
STRAIGHTJACKET(2009, Insubordinations Netlabel)
Insubordinations is a Swiss netlabel based in Geneva,
focused on
experimental music, be it improvised, electro-
acoustic or otherwise of a experimental nature. All their
releases are available
as free downloads. Some of them are
released in a limited edition as CDR. This is the case with
this new release.
Machinegun is a trio around composer and multi-
instrumentalist John
Menoud (alto and barytone saxophones), plus Frédéric
Berney
(bass) and
Filippo
Provenzale (drums). All three of them are fantastic players,
engaged with
equal power and musicality in their battles.
Their highly concentrated improvisations originate clearly
from a jazz
background. The playing is very expressive and
dynamic. These guys definitely have a story to tell. John
Menoud has a nice
sound and a wide range of techniques to his
disposal and makes appropriate use of it. The trio builds
intriguing dramatic
structures, played with verve and
togetherness. Impressive and very enjoyable. The music is
very well recorded.
Especially in the last track 'Sea Shell' however, it sounds as if
the music was badly pressed on vinyl. Whether this was done
with some purpose in mind I don't know.
Read more
Machinegun "Three Wisemen in a Straightjacket" and "Free
Improvisations" + Parsec3 CD's, Releases reviewed by
Vitalweekly:
MACHINEGUN - THREE WISE MEN IN A
STRAIGHTJACKET(2009, Insubordinations Netlabel)
Insubordinations is a Swiss netlabel based in Geneva,
focused on
experimental music, be it improvised, electro-
acoustic or otherwise of a experimental nature. All their
releases are available
as free downloads. Some of them are
released in a limited edition as CDR. This is the case with
this new release.
Machinegun is a trio around composer and multi-
instrumentalist John
Menoud (alto and barytone saxophones), plus Frédéric
Berney
(bass) and
Filippo
Provenzale (drums). All three of them are fantastic players,
engaged with
equal power and musicality in their battles.
Their highly concentrated improvisations originate clearly
from a jazz
background. The playing is very expressive and
dynamic. These guys definitely have a story to tell. John
Menoud has a nice
sound and a wide range of techniques to his
disposal and makes appropriate use of it. The trio builds
intriguing dramatic
structures, played with verve and
togetherness. Impressive and very enjoyable. The music is
very well recorded.
Especially in the last track 'Sea Shell' however, it sounds as if
the music was badly pressed on vinyl. Whether this was done
with some purpose in mind I don't know.
———————————————————————————-
MACHINEGUN - FREE IMPROVISATIONS (2010, Creative
Commons)
We reviewed their first one, "Three Wise Men in a Straight
Jacket" earlier.
Now this Swiss trio strikes back with a second release. Free
improvising is their language and they speak it fluently.
One hour of very concentrated improvisations, recorded live
on two different locations in Switzerland.
Again very captivating and wild excursions by a fantastic
unit of John Menoud (saxes), Frederic Berney (bass) and
Filippo Provenzale (drums).
In the first track there is obviously someone playing the
piano, Menoud I suppose, as the sax is absent.
The drumming by Filippo Provenzale is of an enormous
power.
Just listen to "Zero Below".
"F(x)=2f(x) + sin(x)" starts as quiet duet between sax and
bass. Gradually they come lose and the drummer joins. The
piece mainly circles around intense sax playing by Menoud.
"Breasted Wonda Kitty" is constructed around short patterns
that come again from Menoud. At several moments we hear
two
saxes, played by Menoud at the same time.
For "Willard", the closing track, they concentrate on small
gestures without losing intensity.
All three have considerable musical possibilities, and they
succeed in creating some very emotional and inspired
improvisations. Chapeau gentlemen and grussie mit ein‚ and
(DM).
———————————————————————————-
PARSEC3 - (2010, Insubordinations Netlabel)
A new release from this very interesting Swiss netlabel.
Interesting for those who have a weakness for free music and
noisy improvisations. This one by Parsec3 is again a fine
example of this. Parsec3 is a trio of Christian Graf (guitar),
D’Incise (laptop, objects) and Filippo Provenzale (drums), all
three of swiss origin. Great playing from these musicians.
They carve with great care and intensity very engaging
sculptures in time. There is fine playing to be enjoyed by
guitarist Graf, who is a very effective player. Drummer
Provenzale is constantly on the move, introducing new
patterns playing in a very dynamic style. The contributions by
D’Incise are more difficult to grasp but fit very well in this line
up. There are moments that this music really lifts you up.
They built inspired structures that have an overwhelming
effect
from time to time. Emotional and passionate music. Great
work!! (DM)
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